IAN Evatt will make changes at Walsall, admitting that next weekend’s League One trip to Stockport County is taking precedence over progression in the FA Cup.

The Bolton boss is likely to give game time to Will Forrester, Klaidi Lolos, Scott Arfield, Randell Williams and Luke Matheson, and take some of his regular starters out of the firing line in Saturday’s first round tie.

Wanderers currently have Nathan Baxter, Gethin Jones, George Thomason, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Jordi Osei-Tutu, Eoin Toal, Chris Forino and Kyle Dempsey out of commission - which represents roughly a third of the first-team squad.

As such, Evatt will have to make concessions against the Saddlers, who have fared well in League Two this season and have within their ranks three former Bolton players – Liam Gordon, Jack Earing and Brandon Comley.

The manager said: “It’s a difficult game because they are going really well in the league, they have some good consistency, they have a couple of players who used to play for me in their squad, they know what we’re about, so I expect a challenging game.

“In previous years we have tried to target them as best we can. This season, especially with the injuries in the squad, we might have to adapt the importance of these games a little. It is not that we don’t want to win them, but we might have to look after one or two players. And, to be fair, one or two players need games and minutes as well.

“We will make some changes – not lots, but some – and whatever team I put out I expect us to be extremely competitive and grow on the performances of late.”

Wanderers do expect Jones, Osei-Tutu, Baxter and Thomason to be in contention soon after the international break and the upcoming Bristol Street Motors Trophy group game against Fleetwood could offer an opportunity to phase them in, if required.

But after stabilising league form and climbing to sixth in the table, Evatt believes it would be an unnecessary risk to push some of his players who were involved in the win at Stevenage for another 90 minutes.

“We’re at a stage now where there are some we just can’t afford to lose, especially given the importance of the league game next week,” he told The Bolton News.

“We have a full free week into that, which helps, and then with the break we can get people back up to speed. The squad can recover post-break but this game is a bit of awkward timing for us, with where some of the players are at right now.

“Some players will need minutes and will be given opportunities, gain some confidence and momentum. We have a squad that I think can go there and get the result we need.

“If I get to manage one or two players along the way, then it can only help for the next league game.”