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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Santos available, Jones return and Dempsey start? Bolton Wanderers predicted team vs Charlton

Bolton Wanderers have captain Ricardo Almeida Santos back available for this evening's clash against Charlton Athletic after his red card against Morecambe was overturned.

The FA has confirmed that Bolton's claim of wrongful dismissal against Santos in the second half against the Shrimps has been upheld and he is thus free to take part this evening versus the Addicks.

It gives Evatt another option in the squad as he manages his team during a busy February in which Bolton play eight games across the course of the month, with a Saturday-Tuesday fixture list.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers duo Kyle Dempsey and Kieran Sadlier's timeframe for starting games assessed

Key defender Gethin Jones was rested over the weekend and is likely to return this evening, as Evatt sent a message to his squad to be transparent with their fitness levels during this time so he can make the right calls in terms of team selection and have Wanderers performing at the best level possible.

Evatt said: "We can monitor all of the data we want but these players know their own bodies better than anybody and they have to be honest with how they communicate with us, how they physically feel.

"We can’t be in a selfish environment where because they want to keep their place in the team, they don’t own up to being fatigued. We have to have this energy. The way we play, the high intensity of it, it’s challenging physically.

"If you’ve had a little dip and you’re a bit tired, then put your hand up and let someone else have the pressure of it. It doesn’t mean you’re going to be out of the team for any length of time but we just need that honesty and transparency with the players to own up when they’re not feeling themselves.

"Then we’ve got some serious options to put in the team and give us some freshness. Six more games this month, lots of games coming up and we’re going to need everybody."

James Trafford is set to maintain his position as goalkeeper, while the back three could line up once again as Jones, the available Santos and George Johnston.

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

In central midfield, Evatt has confirmed that Kyle Dempsey is capable of starting following his deadline day move from Gillingham and could be handed his first start this evening, alongside MJ Williams and Aaron Morley.

Kieran Lee and Kieran Sadlier are also contenders in a highly competitive central midfield area, the same of which can be said of the strikeforce.

Substitutes Amadou Bakayoko and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson both made positive impacts off the bench, but Dion Charles and Dapo Afolayan could be given the nod to start once again.

Bolton Wanderers predicted starting XI vs Charlton Athletic: Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Morley, Williams, Dempsey, John; Afolayan, Charles.

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