Bolton Wanderers boss weighs up his choices against Barnsley

With Max Conway’s involvement uncertain and Richard Taylor only recently back from a groin injury, Steven Schumacher may have to put George Johnston in at full-back, just as he did last weekend to good effect at Wimbledon.

The Bolton boss has highlighted Barnsley’s strength in wide areas via Scott Banks and the highly rated youngster Reyes Cleary and he is having to think carefully about how to tackle the Tykes’ winger threats.

Schumacher is expecting Conway to return to training this morning – but has also laid down a challenge to his summer signing Taylor, who has started just one league game since arriving from St Mirren.

“He hasn’t had loads of opportunities or a chance to get into his full rhythm,” he told The Bolton News. “And that’s for two reasons, mainly.

“One, Max Conway has played really well, and, two, when he has been in there I think he can do a little bit better.

“He has had a couple of back-to-back games when we've asked him to go again, and he's picked up a few niggles. He had one at the start of pre-season, he's had one after the Swindon game, I believe, with a groin strain, and then another one last week, so I think it's just his body getting used to the intensity, and how physical this league is, and the way we ask him to play, compared to how St Mirren did. 

“But I still think there's a good player in there, but I don't think we've seen the best of him yet.”

Only Johnston has played more minutes on the pitch than Conway this season and there were concerns after the win against Burton Albion last Tuesday that the youngster was showing signs of wear and tear.

He was rested at Wimbledon and Schumacher revealed yesterday that the youngster had picked up a knock in his previous outing.

“We are hoping he will join in with the group on Friday and then we’ll see from there,” he added.  

“Max has been doing great. Physically it's difficult when you play every minute of every game, which is what he's pretty much done in the league, certainly.

“And as a young player, there's going to be ups and downs in it. I think there's been times where Max has looked like he's the best full-back in the league, and there's been other times where you think: ‘Come on, let's get your intensity a little bit higher, and get a bit closer and stop a few crosses coming into the box’ -  but that's all learning for him. 

“He took a knock in the game here against Burton, so he wasn't available for the weekend, but we'll see how he is again.”

Wanderers are expecting a crowd of around 21,000 with 1,000 travelling supporters, and with the transfer window now over and done with, Schumacher is looking forward to getting down to the business of chasing down Lincoln City in second spot.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “There’s loads to look forward to now, so let’s be positive about it and give it a really good go.”