WANDERERS are unlikely to risk Sam Dalby against Luton Town this weekend – but are confident he will be fit for the play-offs.
The Whites’ top scorer had to sit out the 1-1 draw against Bradford City because of an ankle issue, which had also caused a few other associated issues with his opposite calf and knee.
There were legitimate concerns that the injury could keep him out for a few weeks but Steven Schumacher was happy to report that after a visit to the specialist, Dalby has been told he can return to action.
“Sam has been struggling a bit and it might be an overloading thing,” he told The Bolton News. “But the positive news is that it looks like it isn’t season-over for him.
“He is going to be available for the play-offs, which is great, because he has been a really important player for us, certainly in the second half of this season.”
Wanderers have welcomed Charlie Warren and Sam Inwood back from their loan spell with Aldershot, with the two youngsters joining in with first team training at Lostock on Thursday.
Ethan Erhahon has also returned to full training after missing the last six games with a calf injury and he could be involved with the squad once again.
Xav Simons, John McAtee, Lewis Temple and Rich Taylor all featured for the B Team in their midweek cup game against Blackburn Rovers, which leaves the treatment room impressively clear in the final week of the regular season.
“It’s credit to the medical team and the sports science staff because we have done well with injuries this season,” said Schumacher.
“Obviously now we keep our fingers crossed that everyone gets through the last game and the training sessions so we go into the play-offs with the strongest and fittest squad possible.
“What we have had in the last few weeks is two injuries to two centre midfield players that we didn't need. With seven games to go, they haven't been available for six of them. They're both trained this week.
“Xavier's a little bit ahead of Ethan from his recovery point of view, so they're both kind of getting back up for selection.”
Looking ahead to Luton, who must get at least a point to have a chance of finishing in the top six, Schumacher feels his side will have to be clinical on the day.
“I think watching Luton over the last few weeks and going through the preparation, I think it'll be a different style of game than what we faced at Bradford,” he said.
“Luton are making the pitch a bit more expansive and trying to play a bit more possession-based football. So, it'll be a different test for us, maybe more similar to the Huddersfield game than the Stevenage, Bradford and Plymouth games that we've played recently. So, from a style point of view, it'll be a bit different.
“What we know is that we're coming up against a team who are really good. Lately they've been playing well, they've got people in good form, they look as though they're playing with confidence and they've probably got to come here and win. So, they'll be on the front foot and will pick and choose their moments of when to attack us.
“When we get our chances to counter-attack or take the game to them, we have to be clinical with them because they're a really good team.”
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