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Ian Evatt says he has the finances to bring in another striker at Wanderers before deadline day.
Having sold Dapo Afolayan to German side St Pauli, Amadou Bakayoko to Forest Green and lost Jon Dadi Bodvarsson to injury for the rest of the season, Bolton’s attacking resources will be tested this weekend as they head to play-off chasing Derby County.
Evatt can pick from Dion Charles, Elias Kachunga plus new loan additions Dan Nlundulu and Shola Shoretire at Pride Park but will be working on “at least one more” deal before the January window closes.
The Wanderers boss says he would not have changed his mind on either Afolayan or Bakayoko had Bodvarsson’s injury become apparent earlier in the month – and that his recruitment plan is also unaffected by the Icelander’s misfortune.
“It hasn’t really affected our plans – the plan is the plan, and it won’t change,” he told The Bolton News.
“We knew what we needed to do in the window. We kind of had an idea of what was leaving and who was leaving, and where it left us light.
“And you always envisage someone in a department picking up an injury at some stage, so it is something you bear in mind. It hasn’t necessarily affected our plans.”
Bodvarsson is out of contract in the summer along with nine other first team players but is unlikely to play again this season after rolling his ankle in last weekend’s 3-0 win against Portsmouth, an injury which now requires surgery.
Evatt says the club will support the striker in the coming months but was unable to give an indication on what it meant to his chances of a new deal.
Wanderers have shelved all contract talks until they know what division they will be playing in next season – but the manager’s focus is on bringing in players who can give the club a shot of promotion.
“We are not looking at the summer yet – we’re looking at what we have got available here and now, what we need to sign here and now,” he said.
“There is money available from the board and we are working very hard to bring in players who can hopefully fire us towards the top end of this league.
“But, for now, we are where we are with Jon. It is upsetting and disappointing for him but we will do everything we can for him in his recovery and the biggest thing for him now is to focus on his rehabilitation and make sure that goes correctly.
“I am sure if he does that he will be back stronger than ever.”
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