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Ian Evatt may be able to send a patched-up squad to Rotherham United on Saturday but the Wanderers boss admits there is “no way” they are match ready.
Covid has bitten hard into the Bolton squad and though key players are still isolating with the virus – two of which are showing heavy symptoms – there should be enough bodies to fulfil the EFL’s 14 senior player requirement.
Both Gethin Jones and Amadou Bakayoko (pictured) are free from injury but may still be feeling the after-effects of the illness, and Ian Evatt also revealed that Xavier Amaechi will miss the game because he has to be re-registered for a work permit after extending his loan deal from Hamburg.
Other players are also feeling significant after-effects and Evatt has questioned whether it is right to send them out at the New York Stadium.
“We still have key players missing and I think player welfare is a topical discussion at the minute,” he said. “It has been really challenging putting on training sessions for the players who have been symptomatic, they have returned to training but they are struggling with their breathing and the intensity of football. It is not good at all, really.
“What needs to happen is that it is a case by case basis. We have had more than 20 cases, players and staff, which is serious.
“It is all well and good saying they can play once they are back in the building but what happens with the severity of the illness, their breathing while exercising, nobody knows the answers to that but it has to be taken into consideration.
“We all talked about the spirit of the competition when we went into lockdown but there is no way any of my players who have been off with Covid will be fit and ready to play on Saturday.
“Whether we play or not is a different matter – it looks like we have no choice, we will have to play, but are we ready to play to the best of our ability? The answer is definitely no.
“We will more or less be at the bare bones on Saturday to be able to fulfil a fixture, and that’s provided we get no more before Saturday, by the way.
“The ones who have been off will have to play. We have no choice.
"That comes down to player welfare. It is a serious issue.
"I want to play, regardless of what people play or think. But seriously, we have had a lot of cases and people are really struggling."
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