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Luke Murphy is set to be brought back in from the cold by Phil Parkinson for tomorrow night’s visit of Nottingham Forest.
The former Leeds United midfielder has not featured for Wanderers since the 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United on August 25 but now stands on the verge of a return to the squad.
Gary O’Neil is likely to miss at least the next couple of games with a calf injury, leaving Murphy to challenge Josh Vela for the available midfield spot.
Parkinson explained that EFL rules have been the primary reason Murphy has not even been included on the bench in the last couple of months.
“Luke has been very unlucky, I have to say,” said the Bolton boss. “He came in and helped us get off to a terrific start, then Gary (O’Neil) emerged and Joe Williams came in. And because league rules say we’ve got to have a home-grown player on the bench, Josh Vela has got in there before him. Luke has found himself out of the squad.”
O’Neil’s injury means he will miss the Forest game and this weekend’s visit of Hull City. But Parkinson also found encouragement in the performance of his replacement, Josh Vela, who has started just once in the last eight games.
“Gaz’s calf tightened up, which was a shame because he’s been great for us,” he said. “But I thought Josh Vela came on and played how he’s trained in the last 10 days where he’s really got himself going. He’s taken that on to the pitch.”
Academy product Luca Connell was also in the group which travelled to Rotherham on Saturday and could also be considered for selection. But Parkinson has confirmed he will not be pressed into including recent signing Stephen Ireland before he is completely ready for first team football.
“Stephen isn’t ready yet and he’ll be the first to say that,” he added. “He’ll carry on working this week and we’ll assess him.”
Parkinson feels that securing a late point at Rotherham should ensure his side go into the Forest game in high spirits.
“It was so important to get a point,” he added.
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The former Leeds United midfielder has not featured for Wanderers since the 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United on August 25 but now stands on the verge of a return to the squad.
Gary O’Neil is likely to miss at least the next couple of games with a calf injury, leaving Murphy to challenge Josh Vela for the available midfield spot.
Parkinson explained that EFL rules have been the primary reason Murphy has not even been included on the bench in the last couple of months.
“Luke has been very unlucky, I have to say,” said the Bolton boss. “He came in and helped us get off to a terrific start, then Gary (O’Neil) emerged and Joe Williams came in. And because league rules say we’ve got to have a home-grown player on the bench, Josh Vela has got in there before him. Luke has found himself out of the squad.”
O’Neil’s injury means he will miss the Forest game and this weekend’s visit of Hull City. But Parkinson also found encouragement in the performance of his replacement, Josh Vela, who has started just once in the last eight games.
“Gaz’s calf tightened up, which was a shame because he’s been great for us,” he said. “But I thought Josh Vela came on and played how he’s trained in the last 10 days where he’s really got himself going. He’s taken that on to the pitch.”
Academy product Luca Connell was also in the group which travelled to Rotherham on Saturday and could also be considered for selection. But Parkinson has confirmed he will not be pressed into including recent signing Stephen Ireland before he is completely ready for first team football.
“Stephen isn’t ready yet and he’ll be the first to say that,” he added. “He’ll carry on working this week and we’ll assess him.”
Parkinson feels that securing a late point at Rotherham should ensure his side go into the Forest game in high spirits.
“It was so important to get a point,” he added.
Source
