Wanderers get their Carabao Cup challenge under way with the visit of League One new boys Mansfield Town.
Ian Evatt's side launches its home campaign with a first game of the season at the Toughsheet Community Stadium as they look to try and secure a place in Wednesday night's second-round draw.
Wanderers have reached round two of the competition for each of the last three seasons and go into the tie in fine shape on the back of a productive summer in the transfer market and an opening-day win against Leyton Orient
Mansfield also collected three points first up on their return to the third tier for the first time in over 20 years following promotion under Nigel Clough last season.
The Stags have been past round one only twice in 11 seasons since returning to the EFL but enjoyed an impressive run in 2023/24 as they reached the fourth round.
Manager quotes:
Ian Evatt: “The home campaign starts tomorrow and hopefully we can put in a really good performance.
“This is our home and we want to protect it best we can and that means trying to make sure no one lives here with anything, whether that be a cup victory or three points.
“We want to make sure we make it really difficult for the opposition when they come here.
“We will be taking it very seriously. We know they are more than capable and they have a very experienced manager who knows how to win football matches. There will be nothing taken for granted from us and we will be ready to go.”
Mansfield boss Nigel Clough: “If we can we’d like another run again. The draw’s a little bit more difficult this time round but I think you can always run at least one cup run in conjunction with good league form.
“Bolton have been building a team. They were so close to promotion last season, losing at Wembley, and we know how that feels. I think, rightly so, they are one of the favourites this season and they had a great start at Orient on Saturday.”
Team news:
Wanderers are expected to make a number of changes to the side that kicked off Saturday’s win at Orient.
Boss Ian Evatt has confirmed two starters in defence in summer signing Chris Forino and George Johnston, who will get his first taste of competitive action in over 12 months.
New signings John McAtee, Jay Matete and Jordi Osei-Tutu could also feature more prominently after making impressive debuts from the bench at Brisbane Road but Klaidi Lolos will have to wait for a home bow after sustaining an ankle injury on Saturday which will keep him out for a number of weeks.
The luckless Will Forrester has also been added to the injured list with a dislocated toe, although Kyle Dempsey is close to a return which could come at the weekend.
Mansfield also have a number of players unavailable through injury with defenders Alfie Kilgour and Baily Cargill ruled out, along with midfielder George Maris and forward Rhys Oates.
Defender Frazer Blake-Tracy will also miss out after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Stags’ season-opening win at Barnsley.
Boss Nigel Clough also plans changes ‘but not too many’ as he looks to try and launch another run in the competition he won twice as a player.
Form guide:
Both sides got off to a winning start in League One thanks to 2-1 away victories.
Wanderers collected the points at Leyton Orient, while Mansfield hit the ground running on Friday night at Oakwell thanks to goals from the experienced duo of Stephen Quinn and Lee Gregory.
The Stags also finished last season well, with a five-match unbeaten run seeing them secure their promotion from League Two.
Nigel Clough’s side also enjoyed a decent run in the Carabao Cup with wins over Grimsby, Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough (the latter two on penalties) taking them to round four.
Wanderers – who just missed out on a promotion of their own – went out in round two to Championship side Middlesbrough after beating Barrow in the first round.
Referee:
Adam Herczeg
Kick-off:
Tuesday, 7.45pm
Tickets:
Tickets are available at just £10 for adults and £5 for over-65s and under-18s, with details of how to buy HERE