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Wanderers have no plans to reach into the free agent market to boost their striker options for the remaining nine games of the season.
With Victor Adeboyejo’s season effectively over because of a hamstring injury and fears over Dion Charles’s knee issue unable to be answered at present, the possibility of bringing in short-term signings was floated to the Bolton boss ahead of his game against Oxford United.
Derby County – who provide Saturday’s opposition – reached for Dwight Gayle a few weeks ago to solve their own striker crisis, the former Newcastle United man rewarding that choice with two goals in his last two games.
Bolton are placing their faith in the three men left standing – Aaron Collins, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Cameron Jerome.
Asked of the possibility a free agent could be considered, Evatt told The Bolton News: “No – we just have to back the ones we have got available, and that is Aaron – good job we signed him – Jon and Cameron.
“I think all three have shown what they can do in recent weeks. Jon and Cameron have impacted off the bench, over the last two games in particular, and Aaron is starting to get to grips with what we want and need from him. We are seeing more consistency in his productivity and hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season.
“We are doing all we can to get Dion back to give us some more strength in that department but, for now, those three have to take the pressure on their shoulders and step up to the plate.”
Wanderers may have to tweak their gameplan slightly against Oxford and Derby before the international break to play to their three strikers’ strengths, and that may include playing more directly than has been the norm.
The switch in style has been successful late in games against Barnsley and Exeter, and Evatt is confident his team will be able to mix and match for the short-term.
“The way we coach everybody is that everyone knows what is required,” he said. “Obviously, for instance when we play Cameron and Jon together is potentially changes the dynamic a little and we are able to play into the third line more frequently. And with good quality we can get some good situations off that, and we did at Barnsley and again at Exeter on Saturday, it was quite impactful.
“Yeah, Aaron is a different type. And we can be quite flexible – I know everyone thinks we are a one-trick pony – but I don’t think we are. We have different weapons and how we use them can be different compared to what the opponent looks like.
“This week in particular we have to get the most out of the players that are available.
“This is a really challenging couple of games but the world could look a much better place with two good results, so we will give it our all.”
Wanderers have played 18 times since the turn of the year, with two more games abandoned after kick-off. Four of those fixtures have been in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and FA Cup.
Asked whether he regretted the club’s runs in both competitions, Evatt added: “I’ll let you know at the end of the season. I think that is the best time to answer that question.
“We want to win every game possible but the sheer volume of games and the impact is having on injuries in particular is clear for all to see.
“It is one of those things that when you have been relatively successful that there is a penalty. There is no point dwelling on what could or should have been, feeling sorry for ourselves about the injury disruption or anything else, we still have a great opportunity.
“This team is still difficult to beat even when we are having an off-day or an off-period, and we have to keep pushing to the very end regardless of who is in the team. That is what we will do.”
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