Wanderers will be hoping to head into Christmas on a high when they welcome Leyton Orient to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Ian Evatt’s men enter the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Bristol Rovers, playing more than half of the game with 10 men.

The Whites are currently fifth in the League One table, although they have played at least one game fewer than the sides above them.

Team news

Skipper Ricardo Santos misses out through suspension after he was sent off against the Gas for a professional foul.

Evatt admits being without the towering centre-back is a blow but hopes one of his other defenders can step up and seize the opportunity.

Josh Sheehan is back available after serving a one-match ban for picking up his fifth booking of the campaign.

Aaron Morley came into the starting XI in Sheehan’s absence last weekend, while Kyle Dempsey came off the bench for the final half hour.

Opposition lowdown

Leyton Orient currently sit 14th in the table as they aim to build on last season’s success in League Two when they clinched the title.

Richie Wellens’ side enter the fixture on the back of a dramatic 2-1 victory at Cheltenham thanks to late goals from Shaq Forde and Ethan Galbraith.

That result ended a seven-game winless run in all competitions, and Wellens admits his side are still a “work in progress”.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have faced the O’s 44 times in their history, with a record of 20 wins, 12 draws and 12 defeats.

Evatt’s men ran out 2-0 winners when the sides last met in January 2021. Eoin Doyle was on target that day as well as a James Brophy own goal.

It was the start of a 14-game unbeaten run that saw the Whites climb up the table and eventually achieve a remarkable promotion to the third tier.

Predicted line-up

The Bolton News: