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Wanderers keeper Adam Bogdan is set for his first outing of the season in tonight’s Capital One Cup derby clash with Bury at the Macron Stadium.
Whites boss Dougie Freedman has revealed the Hungary international will come into the starting line-up alongside others who have not played a full pre-season, including Liam Trotter.
But he has also said there will not be wholesale changes for what will be his first experience of the fixture, promising Wanderers fans he is not taking the competition or opposition lightly.
Bogdan did not figure at all in pre-season due to a back problem that reared its head at the tail end of the last campaign.
But he was fit enough to be on the bench at Watford on Saturday and is now in line to replace Andy Lonergan for the first-round clash against the League Two Shakers.
Freedman told The Bolton News: “I will make one or two changes and put some in who I feel need some game time.
“Adam Bogdan will play – he has not had any game time through pre-season.
“There are others like Liam Trotter in the same position so he will play as well.
“There will be changes from Saturday but not too many because we still want to respect the competition.”
Others who could be involved include summer signing Dorian Dervite and Rob Hall, while Jermaine Beckford could be recalled and Conor Wilkinson may get his chance to impress.
Freedman had been hoping to hand Joe Mason his third debut for the Whites after he rejoined from Cardiff on a season-long loan but it is understood international clearance did not come through in time.
There are doubts over defensive duo Matt Mills and Dean Moxey after they picked up knocks at the weekend with Freedman not hopeful of the latter’s involvement.
He added: “There are a few who are 50-50 from Saturday.
“Dean Moxey got a kick early on and so did Matt Mills.
“I think Matt should be okay but Dean will struggle for this game.”
Freedman is looking forward to a White-hot atmosphere in the first home game of the new campaign with Bury, who lost their league opener 1-0 at home to Cheltenham on Saturday, expected to bring up to 3,000 fans.
He is relishing the derby occasion and the chance to progress in a competition in which he took Crystal Palace to the semi-finals two years ago.
The Scot said: “It’s a local derby and we are at home.
“It’s my first taste of Bolton v Bury and I am looking forward to it, as are the players.
“I hear Bury are bringing up to 3,000 fans and that will create a good atmosphere which is exactly what I want.
“It will help the players realise what it means as well.
“But I think our players, because of Saturday, are chomping at the bit.
“They are desperate to get back out there and we will be up for it.”
Freedman added: “I know their manager (David Flitcroft) very well and what kind of guy he is.
“I watched a video yesterday and they put 27 crosses into the box on Saturday – that tells you what they are about.
“We are geared up for them – there has been no shortage of preparation from us.
“We were in early yesterday looking at their game and working very hard in training.
“If we can stamp our authority on the game early we have enough quality to win.
“Managers over the last four or five years have really started taking this cup more seriously.
“I know what it can do for you. I got to the semi-final with Palace and beat Man United.
“It certainly boosted us at that time so I would like to do that again and go one step further.
“Yes I will make changes but I am not taking it lightly and looking forward to a good cup run.”
Source
Whites boss Dougie Freedman has revealed the Hungary international will come into the starting line-up alongside others who have not played a full pre-season, including Liam Trotter.
But he has also said there will not be wholesale changes for what will be his first experience of the fixture, promising Wanderers fans he is not taking the competition or opposition lightly.
Bogdan did not figure at all in pre-season due to a back problem that reared its head at the tail end of the last campaign.
But he was fit enough to be on the bench at Watford on Saturday and is now in line to replace Andy Lonergan for the first-round clash against the League Two Shakers.
Freedman told The Bolton News: “I will make one or two changes and put some in who I feel need some game time.
“Adam Bogdan will play – he has not had any game time through pre-season.
“There are others like Liam Trotter in the same position so he will play as well.
“There will be changes from Saturday but not too many because we still want to respect the competition.”
Others who could be involved include summer signing Dorian Dervite and Rob Hall, while Jermaine Beckford could be recalled and Conor Wilkinson may get his chance to impress.
Freedman had been hoping to hand Joe Mason his third debut for the Whites after he rejoined from Cardiff on a season-long loan but it is understood international clearance did not come through in time.
There are doubts over defensive duo Matt Mills and Dean Moxey after they picked up knocks at the weekend with Freedman not hopeful of the latter’s involvement.
He added: “There are a few who are 50-50 from Saturday.
“Dean Moxey got a kick early on and so did Matt Mills.
“I think Matt should be okay but Dean will struggle for this game.”
Freedman is looking forward to a White-hot atmosphere in the first home game of the new campaign with Bury, who lost their league opener 1-0 at home to Cheltenham on Saturday, expected to bring up to 3,000 fans.
He is relishing the derby occasion and the chance to progress in a competition in which he took Crystal Palace to the semi-finals two years ago.
The Scot said: “It’s a local derby and we are at home.
“It’s my first taste of Bolton v Bury and I am looking forward to it, as are the players.
“I hear Bury are bringing up to 3,000 fans and that will create a good atmosphere which is exactly what I want.
“It will help the players realise what it means as well.
“But I think our players, because of Saturday, are chomping at the bit.
“They are desperate to get back out there and we will be up for it.”
Freedman added: “I know their manager (David Flitcroft) very well and what kind of guy he is.
“I watched a video yesterday and they put 27 crosses into the box on Saturday – that tells you what they are about.
“We are geared up for them – there has been no shortage of preparation from us.
“We were in early yesterday looking at their game and working very hard in training.
“If we can stamp our authority on the game early we have enough quality to win.
“Managers over the last four or five years have really started taking this cup more seriously.
“I know what it can do for you. I got to the semi-final with Palace and beat Man United.
“It certainly boosted us at that time so I would like to do that again and go one step further.
“Yes I will make changes but I am not taking it lightly and looking forward to a good cup run.”
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