Ian Evatt is delighted to see Szabi Schön back in the international fold – even if it will deny him of another player in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, writes Pete Oliver.
Schön’s impressive early-season form for Wanderers has earned the summer signing a return to the Hungary squad for the first time since November, 2021.
And Evatt believes the call-up is a fitting reward as the 24-year-old wing-back who becomes the fifth member of Evatt’s squad to be selected for Nations League duty.
“I'm pleased for him,” said the Wanderers’ boss. “When we spoke and met with Szabi in the summer one of his ambitions was to get back in the Hungary set-up, so we're pleased that we've been able to help and assist him with that.
“There’s been a lot of change in his life, culturally and professionally, and he's coping with it really well and getting better and improving all the time. Credit to him that he's got recognition from Hungary and I think he will continue to improve.”
Schön joins Josh Sheehan, Dion Charles, Eoin Toal and Luke Southwood in being called up by their countries and missing Tuesday night’s Group D contest at home to Aston Villa’s U21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
Southwood’s absence, coupled with injuries for Nathan Baxter and Joel Coleman, means Luke Hutchinson, 22, will make his senior debut on goal for the Whites after being recalled from a loan spell at National League North side Marine.
“He's had some very successful loans and we think he's a talented young goalkeeper,” added Evatt. “Matt Gilks really likes him. He's done a lot of good work with him. He's going to get an opportunity and these opportunities can really set you on your way. Hopefully he will take it tomorrow and show everyone how good he can be.”
Wanderers are set to have a number of young players in their squad as they look to back up their opening group win over Barrow and go clear at the top of the group from Villa, who started with a 3-2 win at Fleetwood Town.
And there will also be action for Klaidi Lolos after the attacking midfielder made it as far as the bench for Wanderers’ last two League One games following the ankle injury he sustained on the opening day of the season.
“He’s done incredibly well to go back to where he is so soon,” Evatt told Wanderers TV. “For the past couple of weeks he's been training really well but we’ve been cautious with his match minutes and really highlighted this game to give him some minutes to build up to full fitness. He will be involved tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to seeing him play.”
Evatt himself will be on the touchline to try and guide Wanderers to the win that could take them into the knock-out stages after being shown a red card in the aftermath of last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town.
The manager was sent off following an incident involving Shrewsbury captain Morgan Feeney and will now await what action the FA decides to take.
“There’s a process that needs to take place,” Evatt said. “There's not a great deal I can say before that process takes place other than that I'm apologetic for my actions. I shouldn't respond in that way even though I don't believe it to be violent.
“I think it was aggressive, it was emotional, it was passionate. I didn't like being grabbed and I didn't like what was said to me. But I shouldn’t react in the way that I did and, like always, I shall take whatever punishment comes my way and try and learn from it as best I can. There’s context to everything and the process will give me the chance to say what that context is.”
Watch the manager’s full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV