Wanderers go to bottom club Crewe seeking the win that could get them back into League One’s top 10.
The Whites need an inspired run to threaten the play-off places.
But boss Ian Evatt won’t allow his players to let up as they start their eight-game run-in ahead of a break for international duty.
Crewe’s losing run has left them stuck to the foot of the table but Evatt is expecting to face a side fighting for their lives as Wanderers aim to rack up the points to at least keep the play-off places in view.
Quotes from the managers:
Ian Evatt: “We look like we’re out of it at the moment but this team is capable of winning eight straight games.
“There is no doubt about that and that has to be our target. Whether that’s achievable or not I don’t know, but we are going to be our best to try and do that.
“And if we can, it maybe gives us an opportunity. It’s going to take a huge, huge effort but this team and this squad is capable of doing it.”
Crewe manager David Artell: “For their first season back they (Wanderers) are making a good fist of it.
“We’ve got to make sure that they have an off day and we have a very good day.”
Team news:
Wanderers will be without wing-back Marlon Fossey who is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Defender Gethin Jones is still to return but midfielder Kyle Dempsey is back for the Whites after missing three games with a groin injury.
Form guide:
Wanderers are looking for a first win in three games after dropping points at home in their last two outings.
Ian Evatt’s men were successful on their last away-day with a 3-0 win at Gillingham earning them a sixth away victory of the campaign.
Crewe have lost four games in a row and have won one and lost 11 of their last 12 games to remain at the foot of the table.
The Railwaymen’s last home win came with a 2-1 success against Charlton on 12 January.
Last meeting:
Bolton 2 Crewe Alexandra 0 | 12 November, 2021
It was Friday night football as Wanderers struck twice early in the second half to end a five-game winless run in League One.
Josh Sheehan broke the deadlock in the first league meeting between the sides for 20 years when he slotted home from the penalty spot after Amadou Bakayoko had been fouled.
And Bakayoko – back to full fitness and starting a first game in almost a month – then slotted home his first league goal since the opening day of the season to guarantee the points.
The result lifted Wanderers up to 10th in the table, while Crewe remained bottom.
Line-up: Wanderers: Dixon; Isgrove, Almeida Santos, Aimson, John; Williams; Kachunga, Lee, Sheehan, Afolayan; Bakayoko (Amaechi 87). Substitutes: Gilks, Johnston, Delfouneso, Thomason, Baptiste, Gordon.
Officials:
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Assistant referees: Joe Clark and Chris Isherwood
Fourth official: Mark Cunliffe