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Ian Evatt reckons Wanderers cannot ask too much, too soon of returning defender George Johnston.
The former Liverpool and Feyenoord man set social media alight over the weekend as footage of his full-blooded challenge on Fiorentina’s £13million striker Moise Kean did the rounds.
The challenge earned Johnston a yellow card but was roundly applauded inside the Toughsheet Stadium as supporters welcomed the 25-year-old return from injury after a year out of action with a knee injury.
Evatt is delighted to see one of his prized defensive assets back in action but he has attempted to cool the idea that he can push immediately back into regular first team football.
Citing the example set by Josh Sheehan when he ruptured his cruciate ligament in the winter of 2021, the Bolton boss reasoned that some patience may have to be shown before Johnston gets back to his very best.
“The tackle was just Jonno all over wasn’t it? First involvement, first time back here in over a year and he makes a challenge like that,” smiled Evatt.
“It is great to have him back but we have to manage expectations. We have to manage the supporters, you guys and his own expectations because he is not going to be immediately back to where he was; that will take time.
“If he needs anyone to remind him of that, then Josh Sheehan is the man. When Josh returned it probably took him six months to get back to the level he is now.
“I think that was some performance by him, by the way, but Jonno needs to relax, be patient, and we will get him to that place, I’m sure of it. But it is great to have him back around the group.”
Johnston’s last competitive game for Wanderers was the play-off final second leg against Barnsley at Oakwell in May 2023. He was injured in a pre-season friendly against Bamber Bridge and spoke recently to The Bolton News about his ambition to pick up where he left off.
“I had a good break, about three or four weeks, but then came in a fortnight early to do some work with the strength and conditioning guys to get back up to speed before I met up with the lads,” he said.
“Now I feel pretty much 99 per cent back to normal now. There are a few aches here and there, which is to be expected, but I feel like myself.”
Sheehan was voted Bolton’s player of the year for 2023/24 and also captained Wales in the summer but the previous season went through a spell of having started only nine of 42 games in all competitions.
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