CARLOS Mendes Gomes was given early release at Wanderers to give him the best possible chance of featuring at the African Cup of Nations.

The Bolton midfielder has travelled to join up with the Guinea Bissau squad for the African Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, having initially been expected to feature in the squad at Lincoln.

Wanderers will have Gethin Jones available for Friday’s game at Fleetwood but will then be without two first team players for between four and six weeks.

Explaining his decision to let the player leave early, Evatt said he was is keen to see Mendes Gomes stay in top shape during the tournament.

“We knew it was going to happen and their tournament starts slightly before Gethin’s does with Australia,” he told The Bolton News.

“If he is going to go, we need him to play. There is no point him missing the start of camp because if that meant he wasn’t going to play games, it is just a wasted opportunity for everyone.

“We agreed to let him travel for the start of the pre-camp and we want him to do really well, represent the club in a positive way and make sure he is red hot for the remainder of the season.”

Wanderers have drawn level with second-placed Peterborough and now trail leaders Portsmouth by four points, with a game in hand on both rival clubs.

Evatt expects the two clubs who avoid ‘drama’ will be the ones who secure Championship football next season, with losses inevitable along the way.

“Last week it was us and everyone was pointing the finger,” he said. “I said to you at the start of the season that the team that stays the course will win the prize. And it isn’t just the players or the manager it is the whole club, the fans.

“We are going to have adversity, we just will. But we can’t implode.

“We have to keep belief. If we lose one, OK, reset. That is the most important thing, for me. Of course we will drop points, every team does. Everyone has to stay together when that happens, though, and keep the belief.

“I believe in my team. I trust in what we do, the way we play, the improvements we make. You do need some luck along the way and rub of the green can be earned. Hard work puts you where luck can find you and I think that work ethic against Lincoln with and without the ball was excellent.”

Wanderers put 21 shots in on the Lincoln goal on Tuesday night but looked in danger of not making their dominance count before Eoin Toal’s late header.

Evatt was pleased with the attitude his players had shown, even when things were not going their way.

“It is just keeping your belief and keeping your faith in what you do,” he said.

“Again, that has been a work in progress, to keep going and believe that we will eventually get you and we’ll score.

“There were one or two moments where we were snatching at opportunities in the second half when a little bit more composure would have served us better but these players just keep going, they never know when to stop. They are developing that relentless attitude.

“First half when they did come at us, our playing out detail picked through them, they left spaces, and we were there getting in behind them.

“We didn’t take the chances at times but away from home that is as good as you’ll see. They are a good team, they have a fantastic home record and Michael (Skubala) knows what he is doing, he is a fantastic coach. I think they were top 10 before the game was played so for us to come here and dictate things the way we did was outstanding.”

Wanderers now travel to Fleetwood on Friday for a game that Evatt feels will present a very different challenge to the one they faced at the LNER Stadium.

“We know what they are all about,” he said. “Fleetwood are a difficult side to beat and particularly at home. We know we are in for a tough, tough game.

“We can park this (Lincoln) result now, press reset again, and look to get another result.”