Forward Carlos Mendes Gomes will miss the rest of this season and several months beyond as he is added to Wanderers’ injury list, writes Pete Oliver.
Mendes Gomes had scored twice in his previous five games to earn the Whites precious points against Northampton Town and Cambridge United before being stretchered off in the mid-week loss at Wigan.
Manager Ian Evatt confirmed that the former Luton Town and Morecambe man had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon which is likely to keep him out for between six and nine months.
“It's been a rough few weeks and these last four days have challenged us all,” said Evatt, whose side has also been without top scorer Dion Charles, goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, captain Ricardo Almeida Santos and wing-back Randell Williams for various parts of a recent run which has brought two defeats in nine games.
“Carlos’ injury is a big part of that. An Achilles tendon rupture is an awful injury and takes a really long time to recover. I feel really sorry for Carlos. He’s incredible person and we were starting to see the best of him as a player as well.
“It's going to be a long journey. Football comes and challenges you and tests you in different ways. Carlos is going through that right now and we will support him best we can.”
Charles is on the mend and stepping up his training after missing the Whites’ last four games, although Saturday’s visit of Cambridge United is likely to come too soon for the striker’s return.
And Baxter looks set to be out until after next month’s likely international break with his wrist injury still to fully heal.
“Dion won't be ready for Saturday and more likely target the next week, whether that's Barnsley or Exeter we don't know. But we'll see how he goes. Nathan it's not great news really. He's out of his pot but he's been recommended to stay in a splint for another few weeks to aid the healing,” said Evatt, who is backing those who are fit and well to help Wanderers bounce back from successive derby defeats and potentially regain second spot in the League One table when they face the U's.
“Control what we can control, and we can control our performances as players and my performance as a manager," he added. "Also, the fans can control the atmosphere they create so, fingers crossed, we can create a positive one on Saturday and get three points.”
Evatt himself will be ‘available’ to continue to lead Wanderers from the dugout after an FA charge relating to the Whites’ game at Northampton three weeks ago was found to be unproven.
The Whites’ boss was sent off at half-time at the Sixfields Stadium but will not serve a ban after allegations that he acted in an improper manner and used abusive words towards a match official were found to be unproven at a personal hearing.
“I felt harshly treated at the time, hence the appeal," Evatt said. "I'm delighted and thankful that I was given a fair hearing. The case was unproven which is great news for me and the club. It just means I'm going to be in the dugout which is a help to the team and we can put it past us now and move forwards.”
Watch the manager’s full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV