Play-off chasing Wanderers are back at home for only the third time since late February when they face Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
After clocking up the miles on the road and keeping themselves in the League One play-off places, the Whites now face three home games in the space of eight days.
First up it’s the Shrews, with all attention on trying to secure a third win in five games for Ian Evatt’s men as they bid to retain their place in the top six ahead of a game in hand on their play-off rivals next mid-week against Accrington Stanley.
Manager quotes:
Ian Evatt:
“It’s still in our own hands. That’s what we asked for. That’s what we wanted, so all our focus is on this game and from then on we’ll focus on the next one. There’s no point in looking at other results and other fixtures.
“We know Shrewsbury are always competitive. We just need to focus ourselves and what our performance looks like and if we can execute that we have a very good chance of winning the game.
“We know what we’re capable of. I have a firm belief in the players that they can get us where we want to go, so it’s all systems go and keep focusing on the next game.”
Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill:
"They're going for the play-off places and we're going to see if we can still finish in that top 10, so both teams have a lot to play for.
"We've been in that top ten for most of the season and that's where we want to finish if we possibly can.
"Bolton have had a successful season already with their win at Wembley. I like Ian. I think he's done a really good job with Bolton. I think he's matured as a manager as well which I think is important.
"I think they've got a really good team, a really good fanbase, play at a great stadium - I don't think there's any more superlatives I can give them!"
Team news:
Midfielder Kieran Lee is likely to be back in the Wanderers’ squad after returning to training following a hip problem.
Defenders Ricardo Almeida Santos and Eoin Toal are also improving but not yet ready to return from injury.
Meanwhile, striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and defender Jack Iredale are both back on the grass in light training but not due to return from long-term injuries before the end of the campaign.
Shrewsbury will have striker Ryan Bowman back from suspension but defender Tom Flanagan is banned after receiving his third red card of the season in last Saturday’s draw with Portsmouth.
The Shrews didn't fill their bench in mid-week due to injuries but may check on defender Matthew Pennington and forwards Rekeil Pyke and Christian Saydee to see if they can return on Saturday.
Form guide:
Wanderers are unbeaten in six games, stretching back to a 2-0 home loss to high-flying Ipswich Town in early March.
The mid-week draw at Burton Albion kept the Whites in the top six on goal difference but with game in hand on all their rivals for the two remaining play-off spots realistically available.
Wanderers will be seeking a 13th home win of the season in the first of three successive games at the Unibol.
Shrewsbury have taken just one point from their last six games to sit 12th in the table.
However, Salop have faced four of the current top-six sides in that run and only lost to an injury-time goal to table-topping Plymouth in mid-week after a draw with Portsmouth a week ago.
Steve Cotterill’s side is without an away win since February, which came as part of a a six-match winning streak.
Officials:
Referee: Tom Reeves
Assistant referees: Robert Atkin, Bradley Hall
Fourth official: Adam Herczeg
Kick-off:
Saturday 3pm
Coverage:
Listen to the game live via BWFC iFollow with a £2.50 audio match pass which can be purchased HERE
Tickets:
Tickets are still available to buy for official club members HERE