Bolton boss Ian Evatt issues squad update ahead of Lincoln City trip

Santos hasn’t featured since the 3-2 win against Barrow in the Papa Johns Trophy back in November after he was hospitalised with breathing problems following a viral infection.

The Bolton skipper was recently given the all-clear to return after seeing a specialist about his lungs and had previously been doing some light training at Lostock.

Meanwhile, Jones has missed the last couple of matches after he was forced off against Manchester United Under-21s with a glute problem.

Will Aimson and Eoin Toal have impressed while the pair have been absent, slotting into the backline seamlessly.

The games come thick and fast over the festive period, and Evatt says it is important to have options to rotate when needed.

But the Bolton boss says he will only make changes that he deems necessary ahead of Friday’s clash with the Imps, who currently sit 14th in the League One table.

“We have got one or two bruises and bangs. It was a really physical game (against Derby), it was 100 miles an hour,” he told The Bolton News.

“(There are) a few tired bodies but other than that, we are okay. Obviously, we won’t make changes that we don’t deem necessary.

“We have got a good squad of player, but as always we will formulate gameplans based on the opposition, what we think their weaknesses are and how we can expose and exploit those weaknesses. That will be no different.

“The players have had some significant time between games during December so they should be fit, healthy and ready to go”.

Wanderers recorded a 2-0 victory when the sides met at the UniBol back in October, with Dion Charles and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson both getting on the scoresheet.

The Whites have won their last three matches against the Imps - their last defeat in the fixture was in January 2020.

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