Wanderers are back on the road as they make the short trip to the Highbury Stadium to take on North West neighbours Fleetwood.

Ian Evatt’s men are currently seventh in the League One table – only behind fifth-place Portsmouth on goal difference at this stage.

The Whites enter the game on the back of a goalless draw at Cambridge despite finishing with 10 men after Kyle Dempsey was sent off.

Team news

The Bolton camp has been hit hard by a sickness bug, with Kieran Lee ruled out while a couple more players are doubts.

Amadou Bakayoko has joined up with the Sierra Leone squad for a friendly in Dubai against Algeria and will also miss the game.

However, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Declan John have both recovered and should play a part at Highbury.

MJ Williams is also back available but Dempsey misses out through suspension following his red card at Cambridge.

Opposition lowdown

Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Scott Brown took charge at Fleetwood over the summer, succeeding Stephen Crainey in the hot seat.

The Cod Army are currently 16th in the table, having won four league matches since the start of the campaign.

Brown’s side drew 2-2 against Bristol Rovers in their last outing, with Shaun Rooney bagging a brace including a dramatic equaliser in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

They are now unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, including back-to-back home wins against Oxford and Accrington.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have faced Fleetwood six times in their history, with a record of five wins and just one defeat.

Evatt’s men recorded a 4-2 victory on the final day of last season thanks to Declan John, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and a Dion Charles brace, including a remarkable effort from 40 yards.

The Whites’ last defeat in the fixture came in December 2021 following a 3-0 loss on a night to forget at the Highbury Stadium after skipper Ricardo Santos was sent off.

Predicted line-up

The Bolton News: