Bolton Wanderers' key decisions for Blackpool clash

Striker selection

Mason Burstow has made a promising start to the campaign following his loan switch from Hull City.

Despite his lack of minutes in pre-season, Burstow was thrown in at the deep end with no other senior forwards available for the first few games.

The 22-year-old has shown positive signs, getting on the scoresheet against Plymouth and Reading.

Sam Dalby is now back in the mix, although the summer signing is still building up his minutes after missing the whole of pre-season with a torn hamstring.

Dalby can now start to share the load, and perhaps the pressure, with Burstow in the final third as Wanderers aim to kick on in League One.

Dalby's return gives Bolton more options in attack (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) The pair finished the Lincoln game up front together and that is another good option for Schumacher, who has demonstrated his tactical flexibility since taking over at Bolton, to have at his disposal.

Having two physical presences in the box is certainly a handful for opposition defences, particularly if the Whites are chasing a late goal.

Winging it

There is plenty of competition for places in the wide areas after Wanderers’ summer business to date.

Amario Cozier-Duberry has made a promising start to the campaign and had a big role in the last-gasp equaliser against Lincoln City.

The Brighton loanee has played every minute in the league so far and will be refreshed after a free week on the training pitch.

Ibrahim Cissoko has started the past couple of games on the left and shown some promising signs.

Cissoko’s crossing can be a dangerous weapon and he is starting to build a partnership with Max Conway on the flank.

Thierry Gale is perhaps more suited to coming off the bench when his lightning pace will be most effective against tired legs.

Carlos Mendes Gomes started at Stockport on the opening day but hasn’t featured in the league since then, and Schumacher admitted last week that he could be some who considers his future heading into the final stages of the window.

Midfield dilemma

The head coach has a real headache in midfield, but it is a problem he would want to have with four good options at his disposal.

Xavier Simons and Ethan Erhahon looked effective against Reading but when things were not quite clicking against Lincoln, Aaron Morley and Josh Sheehan were introduced at the interval and helped Bolton wrestle back control.

READ MORE: 'Stay poised' - Schumacher still expects movement in and out at Bolton

Simons and Erhahon are perhaps more suited to a physical battle, which is often the case in feisty derby clashes.

However, it could be argued that Morley and Sheehan deserve a chance from the off after their display against the Imps.

Perhaps, Schumacher could find the best of both worlds by choosing one of each pair against the Seasiders.

Perfect 10

Another option could be to play three of those central midfielders and sacrifice the number 10 role.

Joel Randall has started four of the opening five league games in that role and looked lively against Reading.

The former Peterborough man could have had a couple of goals against Lincoln but was denied by George Wickens, who was in inspired form at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

John McAtee started in the 10 at Stockport - and came off the bench to score a timely equaliser at Barnsley - but was left out of the squad altogether against Lincoln, with Schumacher citing “tactical” reasons.

Randall and McAtee have both proven they can contribute with regular goals and assists at this level, but are they best suited to this new-look Wanderers?

Defensive duo

Skipper Eoin Toal returned to the backline against Lincoln. The Northern Irish international had been rested against Reading several days prior, with Schumacher managing his minutes to avoid further injury.

Chris Forino partnered George Johnston in Toal’s absence, and they were rather unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet after Andre Garcia’s strike took a big deflection over Teddy Sharman-Lowe.

There is an argument that Johnston’s presence, as a left-footer, brings more balance to the backline.

However, it could also be argued that Forino’s height and physical attributes would come in handy for a fixture like this one.

Schumacher seems to have had his mind made up for him at right-back, however, after an injury to Jordi Osei-Tutu. Josh Dacres-Cogley got the nod against Lincoln and now has an opportunity to nail down the shirt.