IAN Evatt maintains there are few defenders outside the top flight who can do what Ricardo Santos is capable of doing.

The Wanderers boss was delighted to see his captain bounce back against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, having had criticism from some quarters for errors in the weekend defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.

Evatt felt Santos showed up well in midweek despite Bolton’s exit from the competition, looking after two England international strikers in Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins.

Asked about the defender’s response, Evatt said: “He is a good player. We are all here to be shot at and sometimes when we don’t have our best days that happens.

“I forgive the mistakes. We are asking them to do some really difficult things, build from the back, and also defend one-v-one in large spaces and areas. There are not many who can do it like he can.

“I have a huge amount of belief in him and so should the rest of the football club and our fans. He showed today what a good player he is.

“It is funny because every opposition I keep hearing ‘run him, run him’ but nobody ever does. It is fun for us to listen to it.”

Evatt was also pleased to see another of his senior players show their class against Villa.

Midfielder Kieran Lee created the opening goal of the game for Dion Charles and impressed with an energetic and exact performance in the middle of the park.

“He is unbelievable,” the manager said. “His understanding and recognition of how and when to press is first class. He is so reliable in possession. His guile is really top class and his composure for the goal, that extra pass, he knew exactly where Dion was.

“He is a top player and a great example for our younger ones.”

Wanderers have a long journey ahead this weekend at Plymouth and will travel on Thursday before training nearer to Home Park the day before the game.

Evatt conceded that some of his players tired in the latter stages against Villa but he says the squad rotation system should mean there is no serious impact on this weekend’s game.

“We made six changes, they (Villa) didn’t make many and we have given them a really tough game,” he said. “We can freshen it up again for Saturday. Obviously, some of them are going to have to go again but they are fit lads and have worked extremely hard in pre-season. They will be fine.”