Ian Evatt hopes Wanderers’ Vertu Trophy tie against League One rivals Huddersfield Town can throw up a win-win situation for his side, writes Pete Oliver.
Wanderers entertain Huddersfield in a last-32 tie of the Trophy on Tuesday night – a week on from beating Mansfield Town at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Evatt’s men were prevented from following that up and potentially moving into the top six at Bristol Rovers last Saturday when they travelled to the south-west but saw the game at the Memorial Stadium called off due to the effects of Storm Darragh.
The Wanderers’ boss is therefore glad of the chance to take on the Terriers before a return to League One action against local rivals Wigan Athletic next weekend.
“It's good that we've got the game tomorrow night because it gives us good preparation going into the big game on Saturday,” said Evatt.
“It doesn't mean we're taking it lightly tomorrow, but it does give us that opportunity to have a look at one or two things and stretch some legs for the game that everyone is waiting for on Saturday.
“Also, this is the first time in this competition where we've had everybody available who is physically available. Normally it's been in an international window where we've lost six or seven players.
“At this point we've got everybody that's healthy here and ready to play, which will obviously strengthen our squad. Considering the last two Saturdays have been cancelled for different reasons this is important for us to get some momentum going into Saturday.”
While Evatt will have most of his international contingent to call on, Wales’ midfielder Josh Sheehan is ruled out and facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
However, he, Kyle Dempsey and Eoin Toal are expected to be back around the turn of the year with Carlos Mendes Gomes pencilled in for a return before then.
That will give Wanderers a strong hand to enter the new year when they would also have a Trophy challenge to pursue if they can get reverse their home league defeat to Huddersfield in September – currently fourth in League One under Michael Duff – in the tie of the round on Tuesday night.
“It's a good game, two big clubs, two managers who know each other well,” added Evatt. “We know all about Duffo’s teams and Duffo knows all about our team. We spent a lot of time managing against each other and playing against each other.
“I've got a lot of respect for him and we know it's going to be a tough, tough game. We need to be better and play better than the last time they were here and I'm sure we will.
“Obviously, our bread and butter and the most important thing is the league campaign this season. We've shown some improvement in that but we do always want to progress in cups.
“It's great for the fans, it's great for business, so we will be giving it the importance it needs and deserves. But we know what's coming around the corner on Saturday. After not playing on Saturday it's vitally important we have this game to get ready for weekend.”
Watch the manager's full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV