WANDERERS are pressing ahead with plans to face Sheffield Wednesday next weekend – with or without Josh Sheehan.
The midfielder is once again on standby for Wales after Robert Page named his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia.
Bolton and Wednesday had been ready to reschedule the game because of international call-ups but with Northern Ireland’s Bailey Peacock-Farrell the only player selected for a full squad next weekend, tickets have now been put on sale.
It is understood that Wednesday also have players on standby - and if there are no further call-ups with fixture could yet be selected fro live coverage on Sky Sports.
On Sheehan's situation, Evatt admitted he had little control.
“He’s on standby again, so I will probably find out the night before their fixture if he can play for us,” he quipped, having seen Sheehan called-up by Wales less than 24 hours before a home game against Burton Albion last month.
Sheehan was dropped to the bench in Tuesday night’s 4-1 win at Charlton Athletic, with his replacement Kieran Lee going on to score twice at The Valley.
That leaves Evatt with a big selection decision for this afternoon’s home game against Shrewsbury Town – and one which has been much-discussed among supporters over the last few days.
The Bolton boss says he will be using his whole squad in the coming weeks and that no player should consider themselves a guaranteed starter.
“Everyone is vying for a shirt and just because you are playing regularly doesn’t mean you can’t be changed,” he said.
“Kieran is a very talented footballer and has had to be patient. When he got in there he took his opportunity and that is what it is all about.
“Josh will have loads more opportunities and play to the same level again, having an impact on the club. We think the world of all of them.
“But sometimes you need to share the responsibility about. When it is the same names week in week out the players out of the team can become disillusioned and feel I don’t trust them to play. It’s important we give them a positive message.”
Evatt has had little time with his players on the training ground since returning from Charlton early on Wednesday morning but the Bolton boss is confident they will be prepared for the visit of Shrewsbury Town this afternoon.
“Players with the journey that we had mostly require a two-day recovery now and we do that for injury prevention purposes,” he explained.
“The lads that played and started on Saturday have been recovering, bar Alex Baptiste and Declan John, who are still wanting to get up to speed and full match fitness. But other than that, the lads are ready and raring to go for Saturday and another big important game.”
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