WANDERERS are hopeful that the injury which forced Nat Ogbeta to pull out of the team to face Port Vale on Saturday will not be a serious one.
The wing-back limped out of the warm-up at the Toughsheet Stadium and had to be replaced by Randell Williams.
Asked after the 2-0 victory whether Ogbeta could miss a return to his former loan club Peterborough United on the last day of the season, Ian Evatt was optimistic.
“We don’t think it is too serious,” he said. “He obviously had a serious thigh injury before he came to us and this is the opposite thigh but what it has probably done is make him very cautious when he feels certain things. He felt a twinge in his thigh in the warm-up and there is a mark and some bruising but he can’t remember any contact in the game on Tuesday.
“We felt it was probably the best decision to be over-cautious and take him out. Thankfully Randell stepped in and he was great.
“We are hopeful that it is nothing serious.”
Ricardo Santos is in line to face his former club on the final day having sat out the last two games to rest a niggling calf injury.
Evatt believes his club captain will be back to full duties at Lostock this week and will be prepared to travel back to London Road.
“He’s fine,” the manager said. “You could probably sense what I said in the press on Thursday that he probably wasn’t going to play but he’s in great condition, the injury in fine, he is ready to have a full week in training next week and get ready for Peterborough.
“Rico is one of those who needs to play to get some momentum to take him forward. We’re delighted he is back fit.”
West Brom loanee Caleb Taylor made his first start for Bolton since February as Santos’s deputy and was praised for his performance.
“He did really well,” Evat said. “They are two very physical forwards and I remember playing against Uche now probably 10 years ago and coming off with two broken ribs. He is a real challenge and a physical test. I thought Caleb for such a young man really stood up to that.”
Wanderers signed off the regular season at home with a lap of appreciation for the supporters, and will be hoping to give them something to cheer about in the coming weeks in the play-offs.
Evatt added: “This is a brilliant football club with brilliant supporters and we are doing our best to please them and make them happy because they deserve it with what they have been through in the past. We know what we need to do to make them really happy but it was important we signed off the league campaign here with a victory. In general we have had some very good performances and results here this season.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel