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Ian Evatt is looking forward to stepping up pre-season preparations at Stockport County tomorrow.
Wanderers visit County’s Carrington training ground for a game which has been moved behind closed doors as both clubs’ main pitches are currently being re-laid.
It has been two wins out of two against non-league opposition for the Whites so far, but tomorrow’s test will most likely be their toughest, with Dave Challinor’s Hatters recently promoted out of the National League and looking forward to their first season in the EFL since 2011.
County also bettered Bolton in the FA Cup last season but Evatt has played down any lingering rivalry, believing both managers will be looking to get the same thing out of the game.
“For us, it is a better test and challenge than the ones we’ve faced as yet and it will give us a decent marker as to where we’re at right now,” he said. “But whatever happens on Tuesday doesn't really define anything, it’s just another chance for us to gain fitness, to gain sharpness and to fundamentally see the core values of what we’re trying to implement on matchdays.”
Evatt has used his players for 45 minutes at a time in the two pre-season outings so far, and reported no new injury worries ahead of the game.
George Johnston was withdrawn as a precautionary measure in Saturday’s game at Chorley but is expected to play some part in the Stockport game.
MJ Williams has also shown no ill-effects of his first 45 minutes, having recovered from a swollen knee.
Josh Sheehan’s comeback from long-term knee injury is also imminent, leaving Evatt pleased with the condition of his squad to date.
“We were being overcautious with MJ and with George - we don’t want them to break down,” he said. “Without there really being an injury there, we’re still taking the decision to take them off or leave them out of the games.
“If it was a league game, MJ would have played on Tuesday night (v Longridge) and if it was a league game, George Johnston would have stayed on (against Chorley), but we have the luxury of taking no chances and no risks at the moment.
“As the pre-season gets towards the business end and we’re getting towards the football season, then obviously those risks will change and we want everyone ready to go and up to speed.”
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