Lincoln City could come up against a stronger Bolton Wanderers squad than the one available during the opening weeks of the season, with several players building their fitness ahead of today’s game, as reported by the Bolton News.
Ryan Hardie, Eoin Toal, Samuel Iling-Junior and David Watson were all given minutes for Bolton’s Under-21 side against Colchester United on Tuesday. Hardie also found the net as the quartet continued working towards full match sharpness.
That exercise was about more than giving fringe players a run-out. Steven Schumacher has felt unable to make full use of his bench during the early part of the campaign because several of those available were not yet physically ready to make a significant impact.
“When you have people who are coming off the bench that are up to speed, then it gives you an opportunity to kick on in the second half of games.
“Whereas the first two games, we haven’t really had that luxury because the squad has been light and the players who are on the bench are not physically match fit. That will change the longer we go, and hopefully we will get stronger for it as a team.”
That could become important if the contest remains tight heading into its closing stages. The two clubs were promotion rivals in League One last season and know plenty about the qualities each can bring to the game.
Schumacher has also received good news in defence after Akin Famewo recovered from an injury scare at Queens Park Rangers. The defender had to be replaced at half-time after suffering a knock to his knee, placing his involvement against the Imps in doubt.
However, Famewo has trained without experiencing further trouble and has made himself available for selection.
“It is encouraging because it’s not good when one of your players has to go off at half-time in a previous game, but as I say he’s trained today and he said he feels fine.
“Famewo is good and he’s ready to go, so that is a real positive for us. Obviously, we are just missing Ruben and Luca at the moment.”
The Ruben and Luca mentioned by Schumacher are Ruben Rodrigues and Luca Stephenson, who remain sidelined with knee and thigh problems respectively. Xavier Simons is another absentee, with the Lincoln fixture marking the final game of his three-match suspension.
Bolton are therefore not yet at full strength, but Schumacher’s options are beginning to increase. Famewo’s recovery gives him another defensive choice, while the Under-21 outing should leave Hardie, Toal, Iling-Junior and Watson better prepared if called upon.
City have their own selection issues following the serious injury suffered by captain Tendayi Darikwa. They will now prepare to face a Bolton side whose manager believes it is becoming physically stronger as the opening weeks of the campaign progress.
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