Bolton Wanderers will be without top goalscorer Jermaine Beckford for Saturday’s trip to Reading after the striker was ruled out with a gluteal muscle strain.
Beckford has scored eight goals this season since joining from Leicester in July but will be ruled out for up to three weeks after picking up the injury in Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Bolton manager, Dougie Freedman, admitted that the injury would be a blow for the Trotters but is looking at other members of his squad to fill the void.
“It seems to be part of our season,” Freedman said at his weekly press conference.
“But I don’t want to be one of those managers who whinges and moans about injuries.
“There are other players in the building and it might give another player an opportunity to step up.”
However Bolton travel to the Madejski Stadium to face a Reading side who currently sit fifth in the Championship table.
Royals boss, Nigel Adkins, is looking forward to the game and is wants back to back victories after Reading ended a five game winless run with 1-0 victory over Watford last weekend.
“Everyone showed that togetherness and character last week,” Adkins told his weekly press conference.
“The next game now is at home to Bolton Wanderers, we did well up there at the start of the season and were unfortunate not to win so we look forward to welcoming them to our stadium.”
The sides drew 1-1 at the Reebok Stadium in August thanks to Wanderers keeper Adam Bogdan making two late saves to earn his side a point.
Freedman confirmed that the Hungarian goalkeeper is back in the squad for the trip to Berkshire but won’t be starting due to the impressive form of Andy Lonergan.
“I think Andy Lonergan has been sensational for us, he’s been our best player for the last couple of months,” Freedman said.
“It’s hard for everybody if you’re not in the team, because we’re playing well right now.
“I’m not suggesting for one moment that we’re at our peak, but we’re performing very well at the moment and there’s no reason why we can’t pick up three points on Saturday.”
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
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