WANDERERS will make a decision on whether to risk striker Sam Dalby this week in their final game of the regular season at Luton Town.
The 13-goal top scorer stayed at home for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bradford City, which sealed a play-off place, having experienced discomfort in training last week.
Dalby has been carrying a minor issue in his left ankle for a few weeks, which led to complications in his right calf and knee. And though Steven Schumacher has not ruled out bringing him back against the in-form Hatters, he says the problem is one that needs to be watched closely.
“He's been suffering with an ankle injury since the Port Vale game,” he said. “And because of that he has been over-loading, we think, his other side, his right leg, probably a little bit too much.
“So, he had a little bit of a sore calf and a bit of a sore knee after the game on Saturday against Huddersfield. We've had him scanned. We're not 100 per cent sure yet what the prognosis is but hopefully he'll be available for next week, but we'll see.”
Mason Burstow stepped in to great effect at Bradford, creating the opening goal of the game for Johnny Kenny, who became the first Bolton striker since Michael Ricketts in 2001 to score in five consecutive games.
Schumacher paid tribute to the travelling support at Valley Parade, with more than 2,700 fans packing out their allocation and watching a hard-fought game.
“I thought the crowd played a big part in it,” he said. “A big shout out to our fans. Absolutely brilliant.
“I know Bradford packed it out today as well with being their remembrance day and the last home game of the regular season. But our fans have been amazing up and down the country all season, sold out away ends every week.
“We've played some good football at times. We stunk the gaff out sometimes away from home, which we've always apologised for. But today, I think they've seen the team give it everything and probably should have come away with all three points.
“We didn’t get beat - it's another draw again. But it's a point that we needed, so we're happy.”
The 18th draw of the season sets a new club record, surpassing the 17 achieved in 2013/14 and 1991/92.
Schumacher has voiced his annoyance on several occasions when his side has been forced to settle for a point but on this occasion, their performance level left him unable to complaint too much.
“I would have liked to have won the game, obviously, yes,” he said.
“We felt that we were doing okay. We were defending really well. We spoke about moments, showing moments of composure in the week.
“Amario (Cozier-Duberry), hit a big diagonal on the outside of his left foot to Ibbi Cissoko when we're winning 1-0. It's probably not the right ball to pass. We lose the ball and get booted over our heads and Jonno (George Johnston) brings Kayden Jackson down when he's going away from goal.
“Again, it’s a decision, if he doesn't make the foul, he's going away from goal, there's no danger. That leads to a set-piece that comes into the box and it bobbles around, bounces around, falls for Jackson and they score.
“From that perspective, we're disappointed with the type of goal because it could have been avoided.
“But all in all, the effort that the players have put in, I'm not going to be critical at all because they played very well today.”
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