IAN Evatt was pleased to emerge from a tricky friendly against Chorley with a comfortable win and a clean bill of health for his injury-hit Wanderers squad.

Jack Iredale made his first appearance of pre-season in the 4-0 win at Victory Park, and the Whites will soon be able to call on new signings Chris Forino and Luke Southwood, plus last season’s top scorer Dion Charles.

Evatt revealed that the club have three ‘live’ bids but that at least one could be delayed by involvement in European competition this week and next.

A straightforward victory against neighbours Chorley was just what the doctor ordered for the Whites, who have experienced their fair share of frustration in the last few weeks.

But Evatt is generally pleased with what he has seen on the pitch and believes his team are heading towards the season in decent form.

Asked if he was where he would like to be at this stage, he replied: “In terms of the squad being finalised, no. Recruitment in this window is tough and there are reasons and context behind that.

“Obviously, the injuries haven’t helped either but some are returning, so that is a positive, and it is down to us to get up to speed now.

“In general, I think we have looked pretty good. There are one or two tweaks we are looking to make. West Brom was good, for 60 minutes on Saturday we were excellent and then tonight, again, sometimes these games can be banana skins, they can be difficult, and we have seen that in the past. Other teams have played here in pre-season and struggled.

“So, to win 4-0 is very good.”

Wanderers were without eight first team players at one stage last week and will have to manage for the foreseeable without vice-captain Gethin Jones, who picked up a knee injury early in pre-season. Kyle Dempsey is also unlikely to feature against Fiorentina on Friday as he gets to the bottom of a knee problem of his own.

Asked if he was concerned about the run of injuries, Evatt added: “When we get injured I am always concerned and it seems to be our way, when we get them they tend to be in bundles. This is one of the only times since I have been involved in football that so many historical ones have been carried through the summer and into next season – and more than one or two.

“Dion is returning to training on Thursday, Chris Forino early next week, Jack (Iredale) is back now.

“Kyle (Dempsey), the scan was positive news but the scan doesn’t really fit with the symptoms at the moment, so he will go to see a specialist on Thursday.

“Gethin probably requires some surgery. I don’t know the length of time with that.

“Luke Southwood is back training, which is a positive. Carlos (Mendes Gomes) is long term, Randell (Williams) will be a couple of weeks into the season starting.”

Evatt confirmed that Josh Sheehan’s withdrawal from the squad at Chorley had nothing to do with injury.

“Josh was rested,” he said. “He played all summer for Wales and his load has been more than the others so we decided to give him a rest tonight. I think he’ll have enough running to do on Friday.”