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Eoin Toal is getting closer to a return to action – but this afternoon’s clash with West Brom comes too soon for the defender.
Toal was forced to pull out of the Northern Ireland squad earlier this summer after picking up an ankle injury in training.
It was initially hoped that the centre-back would be back for the start of pre-season but he has not featured ahead of the upcoming League One campaign.
Ian Evatt says Toal has made positive progress with his recovery and is hopeful he will not miss many league games as the Whites aim to hit the ground running.
“(West Brom) is a little bit soon, but we have had really positive signs with him over the last week,” he said.
“He is back running again and doing everything with that ankle, which is probably a little bit sooner that we thought.
“We are pleased with that one and fingers crossed, possibly not for the first game of the season but pretty soon after that he will be ready to play.”
Toal broke into the Bolton side last December following his move from Derry City, having caught they eye in the League of Ireland due to his consistent performances and ability on the ball.
The defender’s first few months at the club were impacted by injury, having to play catch-up on the rest of the squad and build up his sharpness.
But Toal became an important member of Evatt’s squad during the second half of the campaign as the Whites finished fifth in the table, making 22 league appearances in total and scoring three goals.
He also suffered an injury during the 4-0 win against Plymouth in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley following a reckless challenge by Sam Cosgrove, having to wear a protective boot during the post-match celebrations.
Toal returned just in time for the play-offs, featuring in both legs against Barnsley as Wanderers narrowly missed out on a final against Sheffield Wednesday.
“That was his first full season in full-time professional football. I thought he excelled and got stronger and stronger,” Evatt continued.
“I’m hoping for more improvement from him this season and we will see where that takes us.”
New signing Carlos Mendes Gomes came off the bench against Everton in midweek after joining on a three-year deal from Premier League Luton Town.
Zac Ashworth also featured against the Toffees following his loan move from West Brom, which could later be made permanent.
Meanwhile, Nathan Baxter, Josh Dacres-Cogley and Will Forrester all made their first appearances at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Dion Charles has had his minutes managed in pre-season after representing Northern Ireland during their European Championship qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Denmark.
The tenacious forward played just over an hour in midweek before he was replaced by Dan Nlundulu.
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