DAN Nlundulu has been challenged to stay and fight his corner at Wanderers.

Ian Evatt insists the striker’s absence from his last two squads in league and cup should not be interpreted as a sign that he will be leaving the club before the close of the transfer window.

The 25-year-old striker was not among the first team players used in yesterday’s B Team game against Notts County, with Luke Southwood, Kyle Dempsey, Chris Forino, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Jay Matete all given an opportunity to top up their match fitness.

The Bolton boss has warned that “two or three” of his players could be trimmed from the squad before the end of the month but maintains that the former Southampton man remains in his thoughts for this weekend’s trip to Charlton Athletic.

“We have got a good squad of players and we have to balance that out,” Evatt told The Bolton News. “Dan was involved last week (at Leyton Orient) and this week with Kyle Dempsey returning we decided not to involve him.

“Dan missed a great period of time at the end of last season because of injury and he has played a lot during the pre-season, so we do have to manage his load a little bit as he returns to fitness. But any player that is not involved just needs to get their head down and fight, to earn it, because it is a competitive squad.”

Wanderers must submit a 22-man squad to the EFL at the start of September, not including players aged 21 or under or goalkeepers.

After bringing in eight summer signings, Evatt has what he believes to be the strongest squad in the four years he has been with the club. But he is keen to see more competition for places to drive up standards.

“They have all had opportunities in pre-season and in the cup match on Tuesday to get there and make their way up in the pecking order,” he said of players who did not feature at the weekend. “For me at the moment the team is picking itself.

“We do have players on the bench who will improve, fitness wise, their sharpness will be better but you have hard me say this a million times – everyone perceives that managers pick teams but they don’t, players pick teams with what you see every day in training.

“Every single day is an opportunity for these players to get into the team and impress.”

Asked whether outside interest in his players or his own preference by the close of the month will decide which players are moved on this month, Evatt added: “A mixture of the two – I have to have honest conversations with some players and let them know I can’t guarantee them any football and if they make that decision to move on then it will be their decision.

“I won’t be kicking anyone out the door. It is always the player’s decision and all I can do is be transparent, honest and tell people where I stand.”