Ian Evatt will send his players out swinging as they look to cause an upset and knock Aston Villa out of the Carabao Cup.
Wanderers will be without striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who collected a hamstring injury that could keep him out for up to a fortnight, for Tuesday night’s televised second-round tie at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Evatt will also have half an eye on Saturday’s League One encounter at Plymouth as the Whites aim to bounce back from a first defeat.
But whatever side he sends out, the Wanderers’ boss believes they can be dangerous to a Villa side looking to start their own run under Steve Gerrard – three times a competition winner during his time as a player with Liverpool.
“It’s a fantastic game to have; Premier League opposition, a wonderful manager who’s had a wonderful career and a household name, it’s a great test for us and we’re looking forward to it,” said Evatt.
“We’ve got a huge amount of respect for Steve and his team. We know they’re exceptional and should really be and are levels ahead of us.
“But we’ve got nothing to lose. We’ll play our way, which is the only way know how to play.
“We’ll be on the front foot, we will press high and be expansive, open and have a right good go and see where that takes us. It’s a freebie for us really with nothing to lose.
“We’re not expected to win, not expected to do anything so I think we can be dangerous when we’re like that so, as we always do, we’ll come out swinging and see how we get on.
“We’ll do the best we can. That may or may not been good enough but I think we’ll be competitive and I think it will be a good game.”
Midfielder George Thomason returns to the Wanderers’ squad after completing a three-match ban but Bodavarsson – one of the scorers in the Whites’ 5-1 first-round win over Salford City – is out of the reckoning.
“Jon has hurt his hamstring in training. It’s nothing too serious, but enough to keep him out for a week or two,” added Evatt.
“We just can’t get that clear path and clear run with him at the moment. But that is football and it is a long season. It’s still only August.
“He doesn’t need to worry or beat himself up or anything. He will come bag bigger, better, stronger and be a big player for us.”
Meanwhile, defender Eoin Toal will make his first appearance in a Wanderers’ shirt when he plays for the B team against Blackpool on Tuesday afternoon.
The summer signing has recovered from injury and will join midfield men Josh Sheehan and Lloyd Isgrove in the side to face the Seasiders in a Central League game at Bamber Bridge (KO 2pm).
Tickets for the game against Aston Villa, priced at just £10 and £5, are still available to buy with details HERE