PREVIEW: Cheltenham Town v Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers make the first of two trips towards the west country this week to take on Cheltenham Town.

Ian Evatt’s men face the Robins in a game re-arranged from the weekend following last month’s death of Queen Elizabeth II when football was put on hold.

The Whites will be seeking a second successive away win with the possibility of going as high as third in the League One table if they can slow Town’s recent recovery.

Wanderers could also secure a third win in as many trips to Whaddon Road before turning their attention to the second leg of a Gloucestershire double-header at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

Manager quotes:

Ian Evatt: “It’s a tough challenge. It always is and never an easy place to go.

“They’ve picked up as well of late. I think they’re quite high up in the form table so Wade (Elliott) has got them going again.

“They’ve got some good threat – especially at the top end of the pitch with May and N’Lundulu.

“We’ve won four on the bounce but for us, it’s next game mentality.

“We’re in good form, but what’s gone has gone now. That’s finished. We look at the future and the next-game mindset and we’re ready to go tonight.”

Cheltenham manager Wade Elliott: “They (Wanderers) have had a really good start. We know them quite well from butting heads with them over the past couple of years and they'll know us fairly well.

“We've had good games with them in the past. They are a good footballing team. They have really good options at the top end of the pitch, with lots of variety in their centre forwards and attacking players.

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“They have a structure and a way of playing, but they can tweak it depending on the personnel they select up top.

“Certainly at this level, they are a big, big club. As a football club and for the players (here) individually, they have worked really hard to be at this level, so you have to look forward to and relish the likes of these games.”

Team news

Wanderers have an almost full squad to select from with no injury concerns following Saturday’s win over Lincoln City.

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However, Lloyd Isgrove still needs more game time to top up his fitness following a lengthy injury absence and is set to play for the B team on Tuesday afternoon.

Cheltenham have a doubt over record goalscorer Alfie May.

The striker – Town’s highest scorer in their Football League history – underwent a scan on ankle injury sustained after netting his fourth goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.

Midfielder Elliot Bonds returned from two months out in the victory over the Shrews but Town are still likely to be missing fellow midfield men Dan Adshead and James Olayinka, while defender Charlie Raglan and teenage striker Zac Guinan are also out.

Form guide

Wanderers have won four in a row in League One to occupy a top-six spot.

The Whites have been unbeaten since a 1-0 loss at Plymouth Argyle at the end of August – their only away defeat so far.

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Ian Evatt’s men boast the best defensive record in League One, conceding just six times and keeping clean sheets in their last three games.

Cheltenham have also been on a decent run with just two defeats in nine games in all competitions.

That followed a testing start to the season under new boss Wade Elliott as Town lost their opening four games.

Town have since climbed to 17th in the table and have won their last three at home – including successive league wins.

Officials

Referee: Gavin Ward

Assistant referees: Daniel Leach and James Wilson

Fourth official: Tom Nield

Kick-off

Tuesday 7.45pm

Coverage

The game will be available to watch live streamed via iFollow BWFC with a £10 video match pass. For details of how to subscribe and purchase, click HERE

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