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Dapo Afolayan and Dion Charles look set to lead the line against Ipswich this weekend.
Ian Evatt admits the duo impressed him over pre-season in games against Championship sides Watford and Huddersfield Town and that he is seriously considering naming them as his attacking options at Portman Road.
Afolayan top-scored at Bolton last season with 14 goals, while Charles also added eight goals after signing from Accrington Stanley in January.
Evatt believes the pair offer different threats to opposing defenders and could be a potent threat in League One.
“They were excellent at Watford and they have been excellent again against Huddersfield,” he said.
“It is a good combination because Dion is always on the shoulder and looking to run in behind and Dapo takes up really intelligent positions and pockets. We can play into him and through him, he can turn and create.
“It makes it more awkward a nine dropping into the 10 pocket rather than a number 10 playing there and being marked. Defenders don’t really want to follow him because they know they have Dion looking to run in behind and also two wingbacks who are really quick as well.
“I think it creates problems, it creates challenges for the opposition and I am really looking forward to how it goes.”
Evatt has plenty of combinations he could try at Ipswich, with Amadou Bakayoko now fit again after a minor knee problem and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson expected to resume full training this week following a bruised foot.
Elias Kachunga, Charles and Afolayan have also been among the goals in pre-season, which leaves Evatt optimistic for the season ahead.
“We have got a really strong group of forwards – Dion, Dapo, Kacha, Jon, Baka, Kieran Sadlier can play in there too,” he said. “We are in a good place.
“We are going to need every one of them as well. I said to them in the dressing room that if you are not in the side for the first game of the season then I understand you will be disappointed but it is a marathon not a sprint.
“There are so many games that everyone will be needed and everyone will need to be at their best if we are to achieve what we want to do.”
Two of Wanderers’ long-term absentees are also close to a playing return.
Josh Sheehan and Lloyd Isgrove have not played for Wanderers since the back end of last year but are now training fully and likely to be tested in the B Team arena early next month.
“Josh will probably be about another week away from playing for the B team and Izzy not far off that,” Evatt explained.
“Izzy looks completely different to what he did when he returned last time. He looks more free, a lot more confident in his body, which is great, and Josh is training really well.
“Another two options on the way.”
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