ADAM Le Fondre could get his chance to prove many fans right in the Carabao Cup tonight.

Calls on the terraces for the popular striker to get an opportunity in Phil Parkinson’s side have built to a crescendo in recent weeks as Wanderers have struggled in front of goal.

It is nearly six-and-a-half hours of football since Jem Karacan netted against Sheffield Wednesday in the previous round but Phil Parkinson said yesterday the 30-year-old is in his thoughts in what is likely to be a much-changed side at West Ham.

“Adam is a good lad and he’s training well, his attitude has been very good, and he has been a little bit unlucky,” he told The Bolton News.

“As I explained to him, after the Derby game it had been in my mind to play him against Hull City but then Adam Armstrong played against very well against Sheffield Wednesday and I felt we’d need his pace in that particular game.

“Adam missed out and there have been a couple of occasions like that, Birmingham being another, where it has been a very tight decision between the two of them.”

Le Fondre partnered Gary Madine up front for much of the second half of last season – their 12 games together producing 10 wins and two draws.

It has been a different story since the former Cardiff City striker made his move permanent in the summer, however, as despite scoring from the penalty spot against Leeds United on the opening day he has struggled to convince Parkinson he can play in the formations he has used over the first eight games.

“It is getting him into the system,” the manager said. “We went 3-5-2 at the start of the season and teams were switching the play too easily against us.

“We were getting exposed so we changed it slightly at the weekend and it is about finding the best way to get results.

“Alfie has got to make sure when he comes on to the pitch that he sends a message to us. If that’s against West Ham, it’s a great opportunity for him to say ‘hey, I should be in the team’ so we’ll see.”

Parkinson has left on-loan West Ham pair Reece Burke and Josh Cullen at home as they are ineligible to play against their parent club.

“I said to them I want them to have a normal week’s training for Brentford,” he said. “It might be a bit awkward – which dressing room do they go in?

“I want them to keep things normal, stay up here and be fresh for the weekend.”

With important games against Brentford and Bristol City on the immediate horizon Parkinson is not likely to gamble on any of the players carrying minor injuries, which includes goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.

Sammy Ameobi has stayed behind to continue training - and could be in line for a return to the squad on Saturday - while Josh Vela has also resumed duties at Lostock and could be back in action within the next couple of weeks.

Parkinson admits a result against the Hammers could be a big filip for the club as a whole.

“West Ham will be the favourites and the ones with the perceived better quality in their squad but if they are not at their best, we have to make sure we are - and then who knows?

“I think we can go down there and give them a good game.

“Cup football is all about who turns up ready on the day, and we have to make sure we are prepared for West Ham.”

Jem Karacan is hoping he gets the opportunity to run out at the Olympic Stadium for the first time as a player and get an opportunity for some respite in what has been a difficult start to the season.

“We’ll be the underdog, obviously but I look at it as a great chance to build some confidence and take that into the league,” he said. “It hasn’t been an easy few weeks for any of us but we have to get better.

“We’re going to a new stadium, one I haven’t played at. I’ve been there, went to the OIympics, but I’d like to go out and play against a top side.

“I don’t think it’s a distraction, really, we want to win. We’ve done well in the cup games and against a top side we want to give a good account of ourselves.”