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Wanderers face an uphill struggle to save their Boxing Day clash after seeing their game with Wycombe wrecked by a Covid outbreak.
The club has declined to disclose how many positive cases have been reported in the camp but EFL rules say a fixture can only be postponed if fewer than 14 outfield players and a goalkeeper can be made available to play.
Defender Will Aimson had to self-isolate last week after testing positive but Ian Evatt had a squad of 16 senior players for the 1-0 defeat at Accrington, topped up by youth teamers Matthew Tweedley and Arran Pettifer on the bench.
Ricardo Santos and Amadou Bakayoko were also due back in the squad this weekend, which means in theory that at least five players were unavailable because of the virus.
Now the race is on to try and salvage December 26th’s home game against Morecambe, which traditionally brings one of the strongest home gates of the year.
Tickets to the game are currently on sale to members but depending on the 10-day isolation rules, several players could still be out of commission by that stage.
The club declined to comment on the potential of another postponement when approached by The Bolton News.
With several fixtures shelved in the last few days because of Covid outbreaks, some believe there is just cause for the EFL to impose a fortnight ‘breaker’ and pause the league schedule until the New Year.
That would mean a big financial hit for clubs up and down the land at a time of year when crowds are generally at their highest.
The EFL has enforced its most stringent Covid protocols on training grounds up and down the country, which include daily lateral flow testing, the introduction of smaller ‘bubbles,’ and an end to car-sharing, communal catering and changing.
Players will also be required to travel in two separate coaches to games, with number split equally, and must also sleep in single rooms if overnight stay is required.
A pause before the game next game could be beneficial for Bolton in the sense that both Gethin Jones and Bakayoko could be fit enough to start their next competitive match after returning to the training ground recently.
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