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Wanderers want to make more Wembley memories in the EFL Trophy this season.
Looking to become the first club ever to win the competition back-to-back, Ian Evatt’s Whites play their first group game tonight against Salford City at the Toughsheet Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).
More than 30,000 Bolton fans watched the Whites hammer Plymouth Argyle 4-0 back in April to claim their first knockout silverware since 1989 – and there is an appetite within the camp to do exactly the same again.
Though a handful of players are absent on international duty and Kyle Dempsey is a doubt with a back problem, Evatt is confident he has the resources to make a winning start.
“Nothing changes – we go into this competition wanting to win it,” he told The Bolton News.
“We wanted to deliver something for the fans, a memory and an occasion, and I think we did that – but this year our approach will be exactly the same.
“We played Salford in pre-season and we know it will be a challenge, they are a good team who have done well in the cup competitions already this season, but we want to get off to a good start as well.”
Wanderers do not have a league game until September 16 at Reading and though Evatt plans to make changes, he insists the squad named will be a competitive one.
“It gives us the chance to utilise the squad but I think this group is a strong one and when we make changes it doesn’t necessarily mean we will be lots weaker. I think we have a blend and a balance,” he said.
“The internationals being away isn’t ideal because some of those players need game time. But some of those who have gone away, Zac Ashworth for example, will probably start for Wales Under-21s. He will get that game time it would just be more ideal if it was for us.
“We are a few bodies light but it does give the opportunity for a few of the B Team who have done well so far this season and we are excited by the challenge.
“It is a competition that we want to do well in and I don’t think anyone has ever done back-to-back but I don’t think anyone would mind another day at Wembley and another trophy.
“We know what our main aim and main prize is, that isn’t going to change, but if we can have a good cup run and get to Wembley again it wouldn’t do us any harm to go and do it again.”
Meanwhile, Dion Charles has been nominated as League One's player at the North West Football Awards, to be held later this year.
Accrington Stanley's Tommy Leigh and Fleetwood's Brendan Wiredu are also in the running.
George Thomason has been nominated for the Rising Star prize.
The midfielder has been selected alongside several other players from the region including Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, Blackburn’s Adam Wharton, Everton’s Dwight McNeil and Manchester City’s Rico Lewis.
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