Bolton Wanderers start their pre-season fixture list this evening when they take on Longridge Town.
Ian Evatt's Whites begin a busy fixture list ahead of the 2022/23 campaign with a trip to take on the non-league side. The visit to the Recycling Lives Ground is a repeat of how Wanderers began their preparations for the previous campaign.
A couple of debuts could be handed out this evening in the 7.45pm kick-off. Defender Jack Iredale and Liverpool loanee Conor Bradley could both be handed their first starts for the club.
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Wanderers were missing Bradley, James Trafford and Kieran Lee from the club's week-long training camp in Portugal. But all three players will be available for this evening's encounter.
Speaking last week, Evatt said: "We've got three missing from here with Conor, James Trafford and Kieran Lee. Kieran Lee's wife gave birth on his birthday which is fantastic for him, so he'll be back available and he has been training.
"James will be ready to play and Conor (too)."
With Trafford available to play, Evatt could hand the Manchester City loanee a start, but he faces competition from Joel Dixon and Luke Hutchinson. Should Wanderers line up in a back three, then Bradley could be given the nod as right wing-back, with Declan John on the left.
If Wanderers do line up in a back three, skipper Ricardo Santos could have vice-captain Gethin Jones on the right, with new signing Iredale on the left. George Johnston is an alternative on the left, while Will Aimson and Adam Senior are further options on the right.
The Whites have a competitive central midfield area from which to choose options from. MJ Williams could start alongside Aaron Morley in the middle of the park, but Kyle Dempsey, Lee and George Thomason are also options, while Josh Sheehan travelled with the squad for the Algarve pre-season camp.
In the number 10 role if Wanderers line up in a formation which allows it, Dapo Afolayan could be given the nod, while Kieran Sadlier and Elias Kachunga are also options. In terms of a strike partnership, Dion Charles, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Amadou Bakayoko are among the choices.
Bolton Wanderers predicted starting XI vs Longridge Town (3-4-1-2): Trafford; Jones, Santos, Iredale; Bradley, Morley, Williams, John; Afolayan; Charles, Bakayoko.
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