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Dougie Freedman will have fellow Scot Kevin McNaughton back to face the old enemy Wolves tomorrow.
One the day Scots voted on whether to gain independence – the result still unknown when The Bolton News went to press – the recently-injured defender was given a ‘yes’ on his fitness.
McNaughton has shaken off injury and illness to answer Freedman’s problems at right-back.
Since McNaughton limped off in the final stages of the 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough, Oscar Threlkeld, Hayden White and Tim Ream have all been used on the right side of the defence.
White was sent out on loan to Carlisle United yesterday, while plans to bring in Nottingham Forest’s Greg Halford were shelved as McNaughton was passed fully fit for weekend.
McNaughton, who is on-loan from Cardiff City, featured in the first three league games of the season but picked up a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the last five in league and cup.
Replacing him has been a tortuous task, with Freedman forced to play Ream in an unfamiliar right-sided role after being unconvinced by youngsters White and Threlkeld.
McNaughton had been pencilled in to return last week only to be struck down by illness but sources at the club are confident he will be fully fit to face Wolves this weekend.
His return comes at a crucial time for Wanderers, who go to Molineux, the scene of many famous footballing battles down the years, looking to build on Tuesday’s win against Rotherham United.
Freedman is demanding no let up in the effort stakes after a result that bought him a little respite from fans’ criticism.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don’t have a problem with them giving it,” he told The Bolton News. “But sometimes the reaction you get from fans is based on what they are getting from the players – and I think they are giving their all at the moment. I can’t ask any more.
“I know results haven’t been there but I honestly think there hasn’t been a lot in it against sides right at the top of things like Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. There’s nothing in it.
“When things don’t go your way you have to stay strong and be single-minded with what you are doing. That is what I have tried to do.
“It is taking a little bit longer than I want, and I get that it’s taking longer than the fans want too. But we just need to stick with it.”
Source
One the day Scots voted on whether to gain independence – the result still unknown when The Bolton News went to press – the recently-injured defender was given a ‘yes’ on his fitness.
McNaughton has shaken off injury and illness to answer Freedman’s problems at right-back.
Since McNaughton limped off in the final stages of the 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough, Oscar Threlkeld, Hayden White and Tim Ream have all been used on the right side of the defence.
White was sent out on loan to Carlisle United yesterday, while plans to bring in Nottingham Forest’s Greg Halford were shelved as McNaughton was passed fully fit for weekend.
McNaughton, who is on-loan from Cardiff City, featured in the first three league games of the season but picked up a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the last five in league and cup.
Replacing him has been a tortuous task, with Freedman forced to play Ream in an unfamiliar right-sided role after being unconvinced by youngsters White and Threlkeld.
McNaughton had been pencilled in to return last week only to be struck down by illness but sources at the club are confident he will be fully fit to face Wolves this weekend.
His return comes at a crucial time for Wanderers, who go to Molineux, the scene of many famous footballing battles down the years, looking to build on Tuesday’s win against Rotherham United.
Freedman is demanding no let up in the effort stakes after a result that bought him a little respite from fans’ criticism.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don’t have a problem with them giving it,” he told The Bolton News. “But sometimes the reaction you get from fans is based on what they are getting from the players – and I think they are giving their all at the moment. I can’t ask any more.
“I know results haven’t been there but I honestly think there hasn’t been a lot in it against sides right at the top of things like Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. There’s nothing in it.
“When things don’t go your way you have to stay strong and be single-minded with what you are doing. That is what I have tried to do.
“It is taking a little bit longer than I want, and I get that it’s taking longer than the fans want too. But we just need to stick with it.”
Source