IAN Evatt is convinced his Wanderers are shaping up for a successful season in League One.

The Bolton boss is pleased with the way his players have adapted to a shift in formation during pre-season, even though he has yet to have his full squad available.

Dion Charles should make his return to the squad for tonight’s friendly against Stoke City, the Northern Ireland international having now overcome a knee problem which has been with him since the start of the year.

Goalkeeper Luke Southwood may also make his first appearance, now cleared to return after breaking his fibula on the final day of last season playing for Cheltenham Town.

Wanderers named just eight outfield players on the bench in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina but Evatt feels progress is being made with the new 3-4-3 system.

“We have slightly changed the shape and I like what I am seeing so far,” he told The Bolton News. “I think we look a real threat in transition, in particular. (Against Fiorentina) we had two or three bits, including the chance that went to Klaidi (Lolos), because playing that shape will give us opportunities and we have to punish teams when we get them.

“The way we are controlling the game is good, we’re having a different type of press and getting pressure high up the pitch and waiting for triggers and traps, I think it has been pleasing, exciting.

“I like the way they are hunting around the pitch together. Of course, they are still getting used to the whole thing and they will get better in all departments, but I think it has been a good start.”

Evatt is aware that both he and his players will be operating under different circumstances when the League One campaign gets underway, given the way last season ended.

Frustration still remains in some parts of an expectant fanbase – and those fires have been stoked by the fact Bolton have had to be patient as they try to land key targets in the transfer market.

The mood is not lost on the manager.

“I’ve said to you before, I understand the frustration from Wembley but we can’t lose sight of what we have done in my four years here,” he said. “Last season still had positives, we broke club records, did a lot of good things. There is context behind why we didn’t get promoted automatically and at Wembley we let everyone down, and we have to own that.

“But we do not become a bad team overnight. In pre-season we have shown that we haven’t become a bad team, and we won’t become a bad team.

“Do we need to improve? Yes, we do. We need to bring bodies in to help us and we need to get bodies back fit again, but we are not looking backwards now, we are focussed 100 per cent on keeping our heads down, proving people right about supporting us and working hard to gain people’s trust and respect again.

“In the industry we are respected but in some aspects we still have to go out there and prove it again.

“Hopefully the fans who watched us against Fiorentina will have had an enjoyable experience that showed all is not lost. That’s the real message. We are working hard to improve this season.”

Even without the final bits of business Evatt is waiting to complete, Wanderers have once again been listed as one of the favourites for promotion by the bookmakers.

Outside the Toughsheet Stadium, many expect the Whites to be challenging for the automatic spots, but the scrutiny from closer in has been decidedly more severe.

Evatt – now entering his fifth season in charge – understands why the focus has been on what is missing from his squad, as opposed to what they carry into the new season.

“It’s like everything – and I am like it with the players sometimes – when it’s your own you look at the negatives and forget about the good things. You see all the deficiencies without the positives,” he said.

“I think that is sometimes the case here but that’s fine. We know, I know, what we need to do this season. If we can progress again, as we have every year, then you don’t need me to tell you where that puts us.

“For now it’s hard work, heads down, and constantly progressing and evolving this shape, because I like the look of it so far.”