Ian Evatt won't rush Amadou Bakayoko back from injury

Ian Evatt says Amadou Bakayoko’s return from injury gives Wanderers a different dimension in attack.

The forward came off the bench in the second half as the Whites were held to a 2-2 draw against Stockport County in the FA Cup over the weekend.

Bakayoko – who arrived at the UniBol on a free transfer over the summer – has had a frustrating start to his Bolton career due to a couple of ankle injuries.

Evatt says Wanderers are having to manage his game time carefully but insists the forward can make a big impact when he returns to full fitness.

“It’s difficult isn’t it, because when there’s so many bodies back there, they went into a low block and we need a fit Bakayoko in those circumstances to give us that physical threat,” said the Bolton boss.

“At the minute, we’re having to manage his minutes to get him back up to speed because we’re rushing him back from what has been two injuries that we didn’t need at a poor time for us.

“It’s hard to keep creating chances and opportunities when there’s no space there. We have to be more intricate and precise.”

Despite having lots of the ball against Stockport, Evatt’s men were unable to find a winner and will now travel to Edgeley Park for the replay, which is due to be played next week.

The Bolton boss says they made it “easy” for the Hatters and wants his side to play with a higher tempo going forward.

“We have to play quicker, and if we played quicker, we’d cause them more problems,” he added.

“We played slowly and we had the ball and had possession, but it was side to side without any tempo, it was easy for them to adjust their positions.

“The hardest part of football is to speed yourself up when you’re unopposed. I was a centre back and when you’ve got time and space on the ball and you’re not being pressed, you feel like you can take your time.

“You feel like you can take an extra touch, but you can’t because what you’re doing is you’re allowing the opposition to get set.

“We have to play quicker, even if it’s side to side, lend the ball to somebody else and the picture will change.”

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