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Will Forrester will be out of action for Wanderers for the foreseeable future after a freak accident which left him requiring emergency surgery.
The defender fell down some stairs on Friday morning, breaking his toe and dislocating another, and consequently missed Saturday’s 2-1 win at Leyton Orient.
Ian Evatt plans to play new signing Chris Forino and the returning George Johnston against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night to edge them closer to full fitness.
But the Bolton boss rued more misfortune for former Port Vale man Forrester, who has been unable to get a run of games since the start of the year after a succession of minor injuries.
“He has had some bad luck that lad, he needs support,” he told The Bolton News.
“We need Chris (Forino) and George (Johnston) back up to full speed and they will get an opportunity on Tuesday.”
There is better news on the injury front, however, with Kyle Dempsey getting closer to his first team comeback.
“Kyle is back training regularly and he is getting better. He is improving with his knee and hopeful he can join in at some stage this week. Whether he is ready for Tuesday I don’t know.
“He wants to be ready in the next few days and possibly before Wrexham, which is good news.”
It is hoped that the bruised ankle suffered by Klaidi Lolos at Leyton Orient on Saturday is nothing more serious, with the summer signing unable to complete the game after a heavy challenge from home defender Dan Happe.
Evatt was pleased to see the impact made by his substitutes in East London, Victor Adeboyejo coming off the bench to score the winning goal in the second half.
The challenge now is to keep a bigger squad happy and hungry this season.
“We need to make sure everyone is on board,” the manager said. “Everyone wants to play every week but this is a team game, a team sport, it includes everyone.
“Next game on Tuesday there will be opportunities for some of them to get game time and show what they can do. That’s what it is about, when it is your turn, make sure you do your job for the football club.”
Asked if there is potential for players to leave the club between now and the end of the month, Evatt admitted it was likely that the squad will be trimmed.
“Possibly yes, there will be some exits, because players are always going to want to play,” he said.
“I am never going to force anyone out of the door but if people want honest conversations and they want to play regular football week-in, week-out, and it’s something we can’t guarantee here then there is a conversation to be had. We will do what is right for them.
“My focus is making sure all the team is focused on the team. It is not about individuals.
“I have never seen anything in football won with one player. You need a group, and they will build that togetherness. Some of them are fresh in the door, so it will take some time.”
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