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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Williams back with Afolayan and Charles upfront? Bolton Wanderers predicted team vs Lincoln City

MJ Williams is expected to start this evening's game for Bolton Wanderers against Lincoln City.

The defensive midfielder was an unused substitute in the 4-0 win over AFC Wimbledon over the weekend as Ian Evatt instead names a central midfield pair of Aaron Morley and Kyle Dempsey, which was highly successful.

But Evatt has confirmed that Williams is poised to return to the team against the Imps as part of forward planning when looking at Wanderers matches.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Lincoln City, Michael Appleton verdict and midfield options

Wanderers can make it six home wins on the bounce this evening if they pick up three points, which would also complete the double this season over the Imps as Evatt's side seek to narrow a seven-point gap which stands between them and the play-offs.

He said: "We are always working a game ahead, myself and Judah (Davies), and that was partly the reason that MJ was rested on Saturday because we will need his defensive responsibility against Lincoln.

"He completely understood it and agreed with it. It’s not just MJ, it’s happened to them all. We’ve left out Dion (Charles), we’ve left out Dapo (Afolayan), we’ve left out Gethin (Jones).

"The one we haven’t left out is probably Rico (Santos) because no-one else can give us what he gives us. But other than that, we’ve had to share it around because it’s so difficult to keep going every time with the same 11."

James Trafford is anticiptated to line up as goalkeeper once more, while the back three of Gethin Jones, Ricardo Almeida Santos and George Johnston could well continue again.

Should any of the trio not be available, then Will Aimson and Alex Baptiste can fill in.

The highly successful wing-back partnership of Marlon Fossey and Declan John is expected to take to the pitch once again.

Williams is expected to slot straight back in to the team in front of the defence to provide the required protection versus Michael Appleton's side, with Morley potentially lining up alongside him and Dempsey continuing with his spell in the team.

Upfront, Evatt could go with the strike partnership of Dion Charles and Dapo Afolayan, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Amadou Bakayoko also options in this area and in form too.

Bolton Wanderers predicted starting team vs Lincoln City: Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Morley, Williams, Dempsey, John; Afolayan, Charles.

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