Bolton Wanderers could get double striker boost in play-offs

Ex-Southampton striker Nlundulu has been out of commission since early December after surgery on his hamstring, and Adebjoyejo suffered a similar injury in March but did not require an operation.

Both players are now on the comeback trail, and though Ian Evatt joked that he does not want to utter the words ‘play-off’ until the automatic promotion route is impossible, he confirmed his striker options could be boosted at a key time.

“Dan has done wonderfully well to get back, and now it’s just about building up his game time,” he told The Bolton News.

“It is credit to him because his attitude to rehabilitation has been first class.

“The first couple of weeks post-injury was really tough for him and he had a lot of support from myself and a lot of others at the club. I think he felt like it was starting to click – we all did, really – and the injury came at a crucial time for him.

“But he has dedicated himself to his rehab, come back looking fit and strong. In fact, he is physically probably in a better condition than he was before he was injured.

“Now it is just about match sharpness and because it was such a significant hamstring injury it is building up tolerance. He is in a good place at the moment, so we will slowly build that up now.

Victor Adeboyejo has scored 10 goals for Wanderers this season (Image: Camerasport)

“Victor is recovering really well too and is at late stage of rehab too. There is every chance that should it go to – I don’t want to say the words at the moment, it’s like Voldermort – but you know what I mean, there is every chance he will be available for those games too.

“There are positive signs but there are also players in this team we just can’t afford to risk.”

Wanderers are also easing Dion Charles back into action after injury and are also nursing some issues which will affect selection for tonight’s game against Shrewsbury Town.

Evatt is unwilling to risk losing players in the longer term – including the play-offs – by pushing too hard in the final few games.

He said: “We are trying to make the most sensible decisions for everybody and there is a lot that goes into those decisions. We know the importance of winning but we can’t risk breaking players down and taking huge gambles at the expense of what might be down the road. It’s risk and reward, really.

“I trust my medical staff and will be led by them, regardless of how frustrating it might feel at times, they know a lot more about injury prevention than I do.”