Bolton Wanderers have been handed a boost, as it has been confirmed by Marc Iles via Twitter that defender Ricardo Santos will return for the club against Bristol Rovers this weekend.
The skipper is set to return to action after almost a month out after picking up a thigh injury. The centre-back last featured for Wanderers in their 4-0 victory over Plymouth at Wembley.
The club remain hopeful of more positive news as Iles went on to say about another pair who are currently out of the side injured. Jack Iredale and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson should be returning to training next week and “might” make the playoffs for the side.
Santos.
The Portuguese defender has spent all of his career in English football, joining Bolton from Barnet in 2020. He has gone on this season to feature 29 times in League One, putting his name on the scoresheet three times for the club.
Those three goals he has scored this season are the only ones he has scored during his time with the club, having made 127 appearances for the Trotters.
He spent a month away from the side injured, last taking part in the Papa Johns Trophy victory over league leaders Plymouth at Wembley last month, where the club came out 4-0 winners.
Iredale.
Jack Iredale is a Scottish-born Australian left-back. Another player who was key to the team in the first half of this season making 19 appearances in League One. He arrived on a free transfer from Cambridge United last July and would quickly make an impact within the first team.
Making 25 appearances for the Whites this year, he has been a very versatile defender, being able to play in the wing-back role as well as the wide centre-back role.
However, at the beginning of this year, worry would begin to set in for the player as he limped off during a 3-0 win over Barnsley after an initial tear of his meniscus during a goalless draw with Derby County.
Following this, the defender would take to Twitter to confirm his injury, stating that he would require surgery on his knee and that he was ‘gutted’ by the timing of the injury.
With his determination expressed in the post to get back to playing as soon as possible, he is sure to be a boost for the playoffs.
Bodvarsson.
The Icelandic 31-year-old joined the side on a free transfer also, arriving from his previous club Millwall last January. Despite making 21 appearances for the club this season, he has not played many minutes, as he has been restricted to playing from the bench.
He has been out of action since January, with his last appearance coming in a 3-0 victory over Portsmouth, he has managed to get himself three goals this season, with his last coming in the 3-0 victory over Barnsley.
The veteran striker has featured in several countries across Europe and his experience is sure to be a boost for the playoffs.
What’s been said?
Marc Iles has took to Twitter to state that Ricardo Santos will be returning to action this weekend as Bolton conclude their season against Bristol Rovers.
The season does not end there for the Whites though as the playoffs begin and their promotion search continues, the club will anxiously await news on Bodvarsson and Iredale as they are not definite for the playoff games just yet.
The 90 minutes Santos could play this season would be vital to him gaining some match fitness back before the playoffs begin.
Writers View
The biggest news here is Ricardo Santos, the Portuguese centre-back has been vital to the team this season and performances did begin to drop briefly during his time away from the pitch.
Another boost here would be Iredale’s versatility, having such an option available during a playoff run could be the key to success, combine that with the experience of Bodvarsson coming from the bench, it could be an exciting run for the club in the playoffs.
