Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has revealed that two of his key first-team stars will not play against Derby County tomorrow afternoon.
Derby County host Bolton Wanderers in a fascinating top-of-the-table clash in League One. Paul Warne’s men are one point and one place above the visitors and can extend that gap to four with victory.
The Rams head into the match with confidence having won three consecutive matches, largely thanks to Dwight Gayle, whilst Bolton have lost just two of their last 12 matches in the league.
With both teams in great form and scrapping to reach the Championship, it’s building up to be a fascinating contest and Conor Hourihane believes home advantage will be key.
Derby are strong at Pride Park and rank fifth in the division for home form, so the Irishman expects supporters to raise the volume inside the stadium a few decibels.
Warne was dealt with the sad news that Ryan Nyambe would be out for the campaign in his latest press conference, and Bolton manager Ian Evatt outlined equally devastating news for his side.
Ian Evatt drops an update on Nathan Baxter and Dion Charles
Evatt has revealed there is a zero per cent chance that goalkeeper Nathan Baxter and striker Dion Charles will feature against Derby tomorrow.
The duo have played pivotal roles in the Trotter’s promotion push this term but have both missed the last 10 and eight games respectively.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash, Evatt said of Charles: “He is getting better, he is getting closer, but we must remember that he has been out for six weeks but to be put straight into an international game, particularly of the magnitude of Northern Ireland against Scotland, would be really tough.
On Baxter, he said: “Nathan’s splint comes off tomorrow (Friday) and will be back in the scanner,” he said. “He will have a dynamic ultrasound which will take a good look inside the wrist to see where the healing process is at, then he will hopefully get the all-clear from a specialist he is seeing on Monday.”
Charles is a miss but Bolton are a huge threat
Charles may have scored 16 goals for Bolton this term but the visitors still carry a huge threat.
In their last four matches, they’ve scored 11 goals and boast quality across the pitch.
Aaron Collins, who they captured from Bristol Rovers in January, has scored five goals and supplied 11 assists this term while George Thomason has 10 goal contributions from midfield.
It’s building up to be a mouth-watering clash at Pride Park, and Derby know they will have a lot of work to do defensively.
Let’s just hope they come out firing like they have done in the last few matches.