Bolton Wanderers set to name an experienced side against Liverpools kids

WANDERERS are ready to pitch some of their most experienced players in against Liverpool’s kids in the Papa John’s Trophy.

The likes of Matt Gilks, Alex Baptiste and Will Aimson will start at the UniBol as Ian Evatt’s side look to book their place in the next round with victory.

Ian Evatt confirmed he would use the game primarily to play those who did not start against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

“Will is going to play, Baps will play, Gillo will play, Liam Gordon will play, Harry Brockbank will play, do you want to know the team? It’s like rugby, this,” the manager said.

“We will have a strong team out, that is for sure.

“But some of the lads aren’t ready yet to play for 90 minutes so we’ll have to jig and manage minutes accordingly.

“The last thing we need is anyone breaking down. We have to make sure we analyse the data, understand where they’re at physically, obviously we monitor them closely everyday anyway with wellness forms etc.

“There will be changes made and there will be one or two looked after and there will be one or two changes made early in the game to manage minutes as well.”

Evatt expects the Liverpool youngsters to employ the same attacking style as their senior side, after watching them in action in Premier League Two.

“They do play a similar way,” he said. “We’ve had them watched obviously, as we always do. We always do our due diligence with our analytics and analysis on opposition. Let’s just hope Salah, Mane and Firmino don’t turn up!”

Will Aimson will make his Wanderers bow at centre-half, having recovered from a groin injury.

The former Plymouth Argyle defender has not played since April and Evatt says he has handled himself professionally since arriving at the club in the summer.

“Will is experienced and a good character,” he said. “He understands that unfortunately for centre backs they are not a priority on the bench, especially for a manager like myself who wants to attack, have forward options.

“One defender in Alex is normally enough, then Declan was back in to get him some minutes on Saturday. He is more of an attacking threat than Liam, who is more of an accomplished defender.

“So it is those types of options, you don’t really need centre backs. But that is not to say he is far from the team, either. If something happened to one or two centre backs Will would be in without question.”

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