Bolton Wanderers will head into their League One clash with Northampton Town on Saturday full of confidence following the news that the Cobblers will be without a number of first team stars.
Ian Evatt’s side were given the day off last weekend following the postponement of their fixture against Barnsley due to international call-ups, but will be keen to return to action after suffering a defeat last time out. A 3-1 reverse at home to struggling Carlisle United came as a shock and saw them slip down to sixth as a result.
They will be hopeful of making amends against a team also at the wrong end of the table when they take on Northampton at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday. However, Jon Brady’s team continue to be without a number of key players, which include captain Jon Guthrie and midfielders Jack Sowerby and Will Hondermarck. After a mini revival that saw them record back-to-back wins against Exeter City and Reading, injuries finally caught up with them as they went down to a solitary goal against Shewsbury Town a fortnight ago.
It appears as if the load has failed to ease during their own mini-break, with the boss confirming the news earlier today. Via Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Brady said;
“Unfortunately I don’t think Jon (Guthrie) will be available this weekend. We’ll just see how he continues to progress over the next week because it’s an injury that we can’t rush and we want him to be at full strength when he comes back before he’s even considered for selection.
“It’s a work in progress with Jack (Sowerby) and Will (Hondermarck) at the moment. Again the game on Saturday might be a bit early but there’s always hope and the medical staff are working hard. There’s a lot of games coming up over the next two and a half weeks so we could do with some bodies back.”
Writer’s View
Bolton started the season as one of the favourites to secure automatic promotion and their defeat against Carlisle United last time out came as a massive shock. There is unlikely to be a repeat of that scoreline this Saturday and Northampton look in a real pickle. Whilst he won’t take anything for granted, Ian Evatt will be rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of facing one of the weaker sides in the division in the midst of an injury crisis.
Expect an easy win for the hosts, who will be looking to solidify their position with a comfortable three points.
