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Wanderers have finally got some better news on the injury front with the news that Eoin Toal could yet make the start of the season.
The centre-half had been struggling to train on the ankle he injured in April’s Papa Johns Trophy Final, which flared up again in the summer whilst training with Northern Ireland.
Ian Evatt has lost George Johnston for the season, the 24-year-old limping out of the opening friendly at Bamber Bridge after only 10 minutes with a cruciate ligament tear which now requires surgery and several months of rehab.
Ricardo Santos was unavailable for Tuesday night’s game at Curzon Ashton, and both Declan John (ankle) and Dan Nlundulu (eye infection) were considered unfit to start.
“We have been through the mill the last few days but hopefully those few will be back with us quickly, George is obviously the main one and his news was devastating,” said Evatt after the final whistle.
“Eoin Toal is doing better now. There is a chance that he will make the start of the season, which is a positive.”
It is hoped that Santos will be back in training in advance of Saturday’s game at Chester, where players are likely to step up their workload and Evatt’s plan for the opening day game in League One against Lincoln City can start to take shape.
“He has had some illness in the family – his little one has not been very well, so it was important he was with them today. We’ll make sure we support them as best we can,” he said.
“I don’t think it is anything too major, just a nasty infection for the little one, so fingers crossed he recovers quickly and Rico is back with us on Thursday.”
Johnston’s injury has come as a big blow for Bolton, however, and will surely force Evatt into remedial action in the transfer market.
The Wanderers boss had feared the worst at the weekend after seeing Johnston get his studs caught in the turf during a challenge on halfway at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
“Without having the concrete evidence I was pretty certain what it was on Saturday,” he said. “Me and the rest of the staff were just praying that it was an anomaly and just something completely different but the way it was presenting as an injury was pretty clear.
“It is upsetting for George and like everyone who gets injuries at this football club we’ll support them as best we can and be there for him, wishing him a speedy recovery.”
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