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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Dempsey and Afolayan to start? Bolton Wanderers predicted team against Gillingham as hint made

Bolton Wanderers head to Gillingham this weekend aiming to get back to winning ways in League One.

Wanderers make the long journey down to Kent as they travel to Priestfield seeking three points to get their late charge for the play-offs back on track.

Ian Evatt's side lost to MK Dons last time out at Stadium MK and sit eight points from the top six as things stand.

READ MORE: Aaron Morley talks Bolton Wanderers play-off chances, Gillingham & makes Rochdale admission

And Evatt has spoken of the desire to put right what happened last time out, as he hinted that Dapo Afolayan or Kieran Sadlier could be in line for a start to help carry a goal threat from the off which is perhaps not present when an extra midfield player starts.

He said: “On Saturday (vs MK Dons) we just didn’t trust each other on the ball enough. I think we played too long at times and too direct when it was on to pass into midfield or to pass to an opposite centre back joining in and too often, because we’ve got two upfront, we were tending to make the game a bit too transitional.

"I find when Dapo dosen’t play or Sads or someone when we play that extra midfield player, we don’t carry the same threat and I felt second half, once we changed it a little bit, we had more of the ball, we had more possession and we started to create more opportunities.

“I think the goal was coming and we’d just made the subs when we gave the game to them with a silly error, but lots to work on, lots to improve on and I’ve seen improvements this week and I’m hoping to see it come to fruition on Saturday.”

James Trafford should continue as goalkeeper while there will be a change in the back three as Gethin Jones will be absent due to the recent death of his mother Karen.

Will Aimson would be the likely candidate the line up on the right of the trio, with captain Ricardo Almeida Santos in the middle and George Johnston on the left.

Marlon Fossey and Declan John are anticipated to continue as wing-backs.

Evatt faces a big decision in central midfield as who lines up alongside MK Williams, with Aaron Morley and Kyle Dempsey the candidates and the Bolton boss could start the ex-Gills man against his former club.

Afolayan could begin in the number 10 role, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson potentially partnering Dion Charles in the strike partnership, but Amadou Bakayoko could also be in line for a start in a competitive final third department which Elias Kachunga is soon to return to.

Predicted Bolton Wanderers starting XI vs Gillingham: Trafford; Aimson, Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Dempsey, Williams, John; Afolayan; Charles, Bodvarsson.

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