Bolton dealt bad news on striker Amadou Bakayoko

Wanderers could be without Amadou Bakayoko for several weeks after scans on a calf injury showed up more damage than was first feared.

Ian Evatt has confirmed that the former Coventry City striker faces a longer lay-off than expected after tearing the base of his calf muscle during the 1-0 win at Lincoln City on Tuesday night.

Bakayoko was taken out of the team for Saturday’s win against Oxford United but it had been hoped he could feature against Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Evatt said he would be without Bakayoko for the whole of September.

“It’s not good news to be honest, and this is the harsh realities of football really. Normally when players feel like they’re okay, it can mean two things,” he said.

“One, they are okay, or two, the tear is significant enough that it’s not causing them pain. The worser the tear sometimes the less painful it is, and we’re unfortunate that he’s got a bit of a split tear of his soleus and Achilles, so he’s going to be six weeks.”

Bakayoko’s absence could now ramp up the importance of bringing in another attacking player before the close of the transfer window a week on Tuesday.

Evatt had already indicated that he would be open to new signings, if the right person became available, but with Elias Kachunga still feeling his way to full fitness and Xavier Amaechi sidelined for at least another couple of months with a fractured metatarsal, the Bolton boss could now look to the loan market.

Eoin Doyle remains Bolton’s only out-and-out central attacker, although Kachunga and Nathan Delfouneso are also able to cover.

Source

Frontman @bakayoko_a is on his way back as boss Ian Evatt delivered a positive injury bulletin ahead of Saturday’s trip to @SunderlandAFC.#BWFC

— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) September 23, 2021

Frontman Amadou Bakayoko is on his way back as boss Ian Evatt delivered a positive injury bulletin ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

Bakayoko won't be ready to face the joint League One leaders but former Sunderland loanee Declan John looks set to the travel to the North East after recovering from the illness which has kept the left-back out of the Wanderers’ last three games.

Defender Harry Brockbank may also return to the Bolton squad at the Stadium of Light after overcoming a calf injury he picked up in the reserves earlier this month.

“Harry and Declan have returned to full training and they’ve come through fine this week,” confirmed Evatt, whose side would move to within a point of the Black Cats with a win on Wearside.

And further reinforcements are also on the way to add to competition for places with summer signing Bakayoko – who scored on his Wanderers’ debut after arriving from Coventry City in the summer – making good progress from the calf injury that has kept him out since mid-August.

“Baka has had a good week on the grass,” added Evatt.

“He’s improving all of the time. I think he’s due to be back in training with the squad at the end of next week.

“We don’t want to rush him. It’s risk and reward with him at the moment and we will be patient and make sure he’s 100 per cent right before he returns.”

Barring any set-backs, Bakayoko could return in the middle of next month, while on-loan winger Xavier Amaechi is increasing his workload with the physios as he recovers from a broken bone in his foot sustained in pre-season.

Midfielder Andrew Tutte remains a longer term absentee but will undergo surgery on Saturday to repair the hamstring strain he sustained in the Reserves’ 3-3 draw with Accrington Stanley just over a week ago.

“He will have surgery on Saturday in London and hopefully he will return sooner rather than later,” said Evatt.

“But it’s not a quick fix. It’s 12-16 weeks.

“Andrew is a fantastic character and a very positive character and knows he has to concentre and focus his mind now on the positive things and concentrate on his rehabilitation.”