Ian Evatt has welcomed the extra options at his disposal as he prepares Wanderers for the latest test of their League One challenge.
The Whites’ boss made two changes to his starting line-up for the mid-week win at Wycombe as defender Will Forrester and goalscorer Paris Maghoma were both successfully brought into the side to fulfil a role.
Evatt has the same squad to select from for Saturday’s trip to Charlton Athletic – with the possible addition of Carlos Mendes Gomes – which gives him the flexibility to select a team best equipped to pursue a possible fourth away win of the season at The Valley.
“It's great to have that option and having the players fit and available gives me that option,” said the Wanderers’ chief, who was also able to make some telling substitutions at Adams Park on Tuesday night.
“We've been suffering with some injuries but we're getting back towards what looks like full strength now.
“Carlos has trained today which is great news so he's almost back as well. Whether he’s is fit enough to be involved on Saturday I haven't made my mind up yet, but he's trained fully today and he's fine so that's good news as well.
“This league is extremely tough because every game is different. There’s almost a clear split between the top half and the bottom half and what the game looks like.
“Going away sometimes at the lesser lights you have to be physical. You have to win duels and defend set plays really well. That requires a certain skill set and playing the more technical games against the better teams requires a completely different skill set and we’re trying to pick the right team accordingly.
“We have got a really good squad of players who are buying into everything we're doing and we're looking forward to another tough task on Saturday.”
Summer signing Mendes Gomes has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury following his first goal for the club in an EFL Trophy win over Salford City at the start of last month.
His return at some stage over the next few games will add to Wanderers’ attacking options after they hit the net four times in their first ever win at Wycombe.
Their recent record at Charlton is more productive with Evatt’s side doing the double over the Addicks in each of the past two seasons.
But since Michael Appleton – Evatt’s former boss for a short spell at Blackpool – took charge in early September, the Londoners had been unbeaten in seven games until a mid-week reverse against Lincoln City to climb into mid-table, eight points behind the fourth-placed Whites.
“Appy is a great guy, a wonderful coach and very experienced who will no doubt prepare the team very well,” Evatt added. “I'm not surprised at all to see the uplift in results they've had since he's taken over and that adds to the challenge for us on Saturday.
“But we're on a good run of form - we've won five out of the last six - and looking forward to another tough game, but one I think we think we can perform well in and get the three points.”
Watch the manager's full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV