WANDERERS are sweating on the fitness of Jem Karacan and Will Buckley this weekend as they return to Championship action against Middlesbrough.

Neither player has trained over the international break and are now considered doubtful for Saturday’s game at the Macron Stadium.

It appears the most serious of concerns over Karacan have died down following David Meyler’s heavy challenge at Hull which left the midfielder requiring scans last week.

Fears of a fracture have now been quelled but the former Reading man has still not been given the all-clear by medical staff to resume.

Buckley damaged his hamstring in the same game at the KCOM Stadium and has also been laid low.

In better news, David Wheater has been given the green-light to face his former club Boro, if selected.

The big defender has been missing since the opening day defeat to Leeds United but has made a full recovery from his back injury and is now poised to return to Phil Parkinson’s starting line-up at the Macron.

Wheater had complained of hamstring pain through the latter part of pre-season and was sent to see a specialist to try and remedy the issue.

He returning to Lostock a fortnight ago and was considered for a starting spot against Hull City before the international break but the decision was taken to give him extra rest to ensure the injury had completely healed.

Sammy Ameobi is another fresh face who should come into contention for the first time following his summer move from Newcastle United.

The 25-year-old is another member of the Riverside alumni having spent a short time on loan on Teesside in 2013.

He had picked up a knee injury against Stoke City in the final pre-season warm-up game but has now returned to training and is expected to be named in the squad this weekend.

Josh Vela is around four weeks away from a return to training after suffering ankle ligament damage in the 3-2 defeat against Leeds United.

Craig Noone is standing by for his debut following his deadline day move from Cardiff City and Wanderers have still not ruled out the possibility of adding another free agent to their ranks in the next few days.

Permission would have to be sought from the EFL to expand the squad beyond its current level but The Bolton News understands a number of possibilities are now being explored by chairman Ken Anderson.