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Ian Evatt has revealed that Wanderers will be without a couple of unnamed players against Barnsley on Friday night – but insists they will “adapt and overcome”.
The Whites head to Oakwell on level terms following last weekend’s 1-1 draw at the UniBol, with Dion Charles cancelling out Nicky Cadden’s opener.
Evatt confirmed that a couple of players picked up knocks during the first leg but remains confident in the options he has available.
The Bolton boss also says he will not rush anyone back from injury unless they are in the right physical condition.
“We’ve got one or two who won’t be available for Friday,” the manager explained. “But we have got a strong squad.
“It is what it is and we will just adapt and overcome. One of them was an impact injury and the other is more of an over-use injury.”
When asked if he could offer any further insight into which players would be missing from the side, he simply replied, “no” with a wry smile.
The Whites had plenty of the ball in the first leg but struggled to break down a stubborn Barnsley backline at times.
“My opinion of the game, having watched it back a couple of times, was that we were nervous in the first half,” Evatt added.
“I think we started the better in the first 15 minutes and then allowed them to restrict us more than anything else. “Then we weren’t brave enough.
“Football is subjective isn’t it? Everyone comes away saying Barnsley performed really well and we didn’t.
“They had 19 shots, but 10 of those were from outside the box. If you are having set-plays and long throws, the likelihood is you are going to have more shots.
“We still had control of the ball. Did we create enough with it? No. But as I said, there was huge pressure on us on Saturday and I think that will be different (at Oakwell).
“It was a very even game on Saturday and it will be the same on Friday, it will be another 50/50 game.”
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