WANDERERS could be forced into a transfer re-think after learning that Will Forrester could be out of action until the end of February.

Ian Evatt confirmed his defender had suffered a grade 2B tear of his hamstring in the FA Cup third round against Luton Town, which leaves him down to three fit senior central defenders.

Jack Iredale is likely to come in against Leyton Orient – if the match is given the go-ahead – with Eoin Toal shifted to the right side of Ricardo Santos.

But beyond that, Evatt has little cover, and with Gethin Jones away on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup in Qatar that is unlikely to change in the next few weeks.

Asked if Forrester’s injury will change his plans for the remainder of the January window, Ian Evatt said: “Probably. We haven’t made a final decision on that but I will have a conversation with Chris (Markham) and then come up with the plan.

“Obviously being in the middle of this window helps but it was also the one where Gethin would be away. Our biggest fear was losing either Cogs or Will during this period because we don’t really have the cover. It would be very risky to continue without having that.

“We will see what is available, we will go through our target list, which we have for every position and then make a call.

“It may change things and it is something we need to have deep discussions on.”

Wanderers are waiting to see the results of a lunchtime pitch inspection at Brisbane Road to see whether Saturday’s League One game is given the go-ahead, but also face further inspections tomorrow morning if the temperatures remain low.

As things stand, Bolton play Saturday-Tuesday each week until February 17 but Evatt refuses to consider the backlog of fixtures a problem.

“It is absolutely not a bad thing,” he said. “We will embrace it, we will enjoy it.

“I think this team is still improving and has lots to offer. We have to take that performance we gave against a Premier League team in Luton Town and replicate it as many times as we can between now and the end of the season. If we can do that I have no doubt we will achieve our ambitions.”