Match Preview | Wanderers v Exeter City

exeter preview

Wanderers return to the Toughsheet Community Stadium for the visit of Exeter City on the club's first Community Day of the season.

It's back to League One action for Ian Evatt's side after the mid-week Carabao Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town which sets up a mouth-watering tie with Premier League Arsenal in round three.

The Whites will be looking for a first home league win of the season in the first of three successive home league games either side of an international break.

Last season saw Wanderers win the corresponding fixture 7-0 to record the club's biggest home win in 33 years.

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Gary Caldwell

Manager Quotes

Ian Evatt: “Tuesday was a good sign, I think. That was a sign of what this team is capable of and hopefully we can step forwards on that again on Saturday which we're going to probably need to.

“I don't think it's going to be the same as last year for certain. They have started pretty well and been involved in some really close games against some good opponents.

“We know it's going to be tough but if we can step forward again from what we showed on Tuesday, which was very positive, hopefully we can get all three points."

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell: "They're a team that for me should have gone up last year. They were, in my opinion, the best team in the league and for whatever reason they didn't get promotion.

"They're still a fantastic team, they've probably got even better in terms of their ball possession. They're slightly different in how they set up this year.

"Instead of two number 9s and split 8s they play with two number 10s and a 9 so we have to be ready for a really difficult game and we have to play with personality."

Team News

Wanderers have a couple of injury doubts but are nearing a return to a clean bill of health.

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Dion Charles Shrewsbury

Summer signing Klaidi Lolos is still sidelined but does not surgery on an ankle injury and is only about four weeks away from a return.

Gethin Jones and Randell Williams could return after the international break, while long-term absentee Carlos Mendes Gomes is recovering well from a Achilles tendon injury and may be back within a couple of months. Will Forrester is still out after dislocating a toe.

Exeter will be without midfielder Caleb Watts, who scored on the opening day, through injury. The Australian is back on the grass this week but Saturday's game comes too soon.

Defender Vincent Harper will be out for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury so will also miss out striker but striker Sonny Cox could figure for the first time this season after returning to full training.

Summer signing Jay Bird from Arbroath won't be available due to his lack of match fitness, having not played competitively since May.

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Jordi Osei-Tutu Shrewsbury

Form Guide

Wanderers have started the league season with a win, a draw and a defeat in their opening three games as they build towards peak fitness and form.

The Whites have also progressed in the Carabao Cup by knocking out League One rivals Mansfield and Shrewsbury.

Exeter enjoyed an opening-day victory over Rotherham United but have suffered single-goal defeats in their last two league games against Northampton Town and Peterborough United.

The Grecians also suffered a first-round exit in the Carabao Cup as they went out on penalties to League Two Walsall.

Kick-off

Saturday, 3pm.

Referee

Ben Toner

Tickets

There are over 20,000 of you who have secured your seat for this weekend's game.

If you're yet to purchase yours, you can do so HERE

If you can't make it, audio passes will be available for UK based supporters.

Those based internationally can stream the game through Wanderers TV.

Click here to purchase your passes.

Pound to the Ground

Bolton Wanderers In The Community need your support across this football season to support in running their mentoring programme. They are hosting three Community Days this Season, the first being this Saturday.

And they are urging supports to bring a pound to the ground in support of making a difference to this important cause!

By donating as little as £1 you are supporting their mentoring programmes to continue helping young people in the local community.

For more information click here.

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