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Jack Iredale is facing surgery on an injured knee and could be missing for up to four months, revealed Wanderers boss Ian Evatt.
The Australian defender limped off during the 3-0 win at Barnsley, having initially damaged his knee playing against Derby County before Christmas.
It remains to be seen whether he will need an operation but in the worst case scenario Evatt admits he could be side-lined until April.
“He has picked up quite a significant injury,” said the Bolton boss. “It was quite innocuous, he hurt himself against Derby but we thought it was just a bang. He has actually got a tear of his lateral meniscus, which we will find out on Monday whether that will need surgery – and it is likely it will.
“Either way it will be 10 weeks to four months, so quite a significant one.”
Iredale finished the game against Derby County on December 27 and then sat out against Lincoln City three days later.
He returned for the game at Oakwell but signalled to the bench just after half time that he could not continue, and was replaced by Gethin Jones.
“Jack was playing with that injury, so the fact that he managed to do 55 minutes with a tear in his knee speaks volumes for his attitude and how good he has been for us. The fact he tried to battle on says it all and we hope we can get him back sooner rather than later because he has been a really important player for us.”
Fit-again Jones will most likely step in for Iredale at left wing-back for now, with captain Ricardo Santos also pushing for a recall against Plymouth.
“Just having those two back in the group has been great,” Evatt said. “I could feel the difference in the hotel, the difference in the pre-match, they are very well-respected characters and leaders within that group. They made a huge difference on the day.
“We have conceded one goal in four games since that back three was put together in their absence and they have looked really solid, combative, and I have been really pleased with them, especially Eoin Toal and Will Aimson who hadn’t played that much football before being thrown into the deep end.”
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