Wanderers kick-off a big week against play-off hopefuls Oxford at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Ian Evatt’s side dropped out of the automatic promotion spots following their 2-2 draw at Exeter over the weekend.

Paris Maghoma and Eoin Toal were on target for the Whites either side of half time against the Grecians.

Team news

Victor Adeboyejo is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Exeter.

Dion Charles was due to see a specialist yesterday following a setback with his knee injury, and the best-case scenario is that he returns for Stevenage.

Carlos Mendes Gomes and Dan Nlundulu are also sidelined, meaning Aaron Collins, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Cameron Jerome are the only available forwards.

Nathan Baxter’s splint is due to come off at the end of the week and then Wanderers will have a clearer picture about his condition.

Josh Sheehan has avoided a two-game ban after getting through the Exeter game without a booking, while Aaron Morley was not in the squad because his partner, Emily, was due to give birth to their first child.

Opposition lowdown

Oxford sit seventh in the League One table following their 2-1 victory against Cheltenham at the weekend.

Former Bury man Greg Leigh scored a late winner against the Robins after Josh Murphy’s opener had been cancelled out.

The U’s had gone four matches without victory in the league prior to their win against Darrell Clarke’s men.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have faced Oxford 29 times in their history, with a record of 12 wins, nine draws and eight defeats.

The points were shared when the sides met at the Kassam Stadium in November following a goalless draw.

Bolton’s last victory in the fixture came in April 2023, with Charles getting the decisive goal inside the opening 10 minutes.

Predicted line-up

The Bolton News: