BOLTON boss Keith Hill insists there was “nothing suspect” about the absence of Dennis Politic and James Weir in the squad at Rochdale.

Wanderers slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Spotland, meaning they stay 17 points from safety in League One going into Tuesday night’s trip to Lincoln City.

Luke Murphy will be back in contention for a place in midfield after completing his suspension but Jason Lowe will not be available until next weekend’s home game against Portsmouth.

Hill confirmed that he was unable to pick either Politic or Weir on Saturday – but said their absence had nothing to do with transfer plans.

“Both of them were injured,” he said. “Nothing political and nothing suspect, Dennis ruled himself out and James Weir had a calf strain on Thursday.”

Hill also said he had considered giving Muhammadu Faal a full debut at Rochdale.

The new signing made his debut off the bench in the second half, replacing Sonny Graham, but the Bolton boss admits it was a difficult environment in which to adjust.

“[Faal] is coming from non-league, he’s up to speed, and I think it was difficult for him to come on as a substitute,” he said. “It would probably have been a better to start him and it was always in the back of my mind. But the way Rochdale set up and the way I wanted us to set up and protect a little bit, I thought it was better to stick with Joe (Dodoo) and Daryl Murphy.”