Bolton Wanderers skipper Ricardo Santos is having tests done in hospital and has been using breathing apparatus to help him after being admitted with a viral infection as Ian Evatt has vowed the Whites will rally around the captain and his family.
The Wanderers skipper was absent from the team sheet against Bristol Rovers last night as the Whites came from behind late on to claim a point against the Gas. Eoin Toal took his place in the starting XI.
Evatt discussed the absence of his skipper from the victory and confirmed that Santos has been hospitalised after coming down with the illness on Thursday. He has been hospitalised with a viral infection and suspected pneumonia.
READ MORE: Toal impresses, Charles goal, injuries - Four ups & two downs for Bolton from Bristol Rovers draw
Speaking after the 1-1 draw, in which Dion Charles scored in injury time to cancel out Josh Coburn's opener, Evatt said the captain felt slightly better on Friday in a positive update. He has been using breathing apparatus to help him and Evatt believes the skipper is in the best place possible, as he vowed the Whites will support him and his family as best they can.
He said: “The latest that I know is that he’s still finding it difficult to breathe by himself on his own, so he’s got some sort of breathing apparatus to assist him. He does feel slightly better today which is positive.
“But obviously he’s having lots of tests, lots of help and support from Bolton fans within the hospital which is good news. As a football club and as a family, we rally around him and the rest of his family and wish him a really speedy recovery.
“He’s in the best possible place and all we can do now is say a prayer for him and hope that he’ll recover sooner rather than later and be back with us.”
Gethin Jones took the captain's armband with Santos absent. He gave the Bolton dressing room view of the situation and the shock that came from it, with Santos never a player who is ill or injured.
The Wanderers vice-captain has repeated the support Evatt mentioned, with the club's players and their partners vowing to help Santos' family at this time. Jones revealed that Bolton players wanted to do their skipper justice against the Gas.
He said: “We got told the news yesterday (Thursday) that his little one wasn’t very well and that Rico was struggling as well, it hit us hard.
“Rico went into hospital yesterday afternoon and I dropped him a message straight away. He told me he was struggling to breathe.
“We will look after his missus. I know a lot of the girls are close to her and his two kids as well, so we will make sure they are OK. We will make sure he gets the best possible recovery.
“We were just worried. Rico is never injured, never ill.
“The first thing he texted to me was: ‘Geth, I hope you don’t get this. I am really struggling.’
“You know with Rico that if he isn’t there it must be something bad because he never misses training, he never misses a game.
“We had a big conversation before the game and the lads just wanted to get out there and play for Rico tonight.
Don't miss a thing from the club you love! For all the latest updates on Wanderers, sign up to our free newsletter packed with all the latest news here.
READ NEXT:
-
Bolton boss Ian Evatt on Bristol Rovers draw as Bodvarsson & Thomason injury update given
-
'Kick in the proverbials' - Joey Barton's frank Bolton Wanderers verdict in Bristol Rovers draw
-
Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Bristol Rovers - MJ Williams, Conor Bradley & Eoin Toal good
-
'Mixture of the two' - Ian Evatt's mixed Bolton Wanderers feelings after Bristol Rovers draw
-
'Rocked us all' - Ricardo Santos' Bolton Wanderers absence vs Bristol Rovers explained
