Bolton Wanderers are optimistic that Josh Dacres-Cogley has avoided a serious ankle injury after being forced off in the defeat at Northampton Town.
The right-back was substituted during the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 loss, but Steven Schumacher believes he could return for the upcoming home game against Peterborough United.
Injury Update From Schumacher
Dacres-Cogley appeared in discomfort after slipping while tracking Cobblers winger Tyrese Fornah, and he was withdrawn with 30 minutes remaining.
“I took him off because he said he had rolled his ankle a bit,” Schumacher explained. “The lad caught him on the back of his foot and he just rolled his ankle, so he was a bit uncomfortable. We got Aaron Morley on the pitch anyway, so I think he’ll be all right.”
The setback was one of few concerns for Wanderers, who lost only their second league match of the season at Sixfields. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, they were punished for failing to convert chances and conceded twice to hand Northampton the points.
Lack Of Clinical Edge
Schumacher admitted that Bolton’s final-third play had fallen short of the required standard. “I think there was a little bit of a lack of quality at times,” he said. “Some of the deliveries into the box, they were not quite at it the way they have been recently. A couple of the set-pieces weren’t brilliant either.”
He acknowledged that two big chances had been squandered, and that a penalty decision awarded to Northampton proved decisive. Amario Cozier-Duberry was judged to have fouled Michael Forbes, giving the home side the opportunity to extend their advantage. Schumacher accepted the call, describing it as “one of those mistakes” that can happen in any game.
Staying Grounded
The Bolton boss insisted there would be no overreaction to the result, pointing to the highs and lows that naturally occur over a long campaign.
“It’s about staying calm,” he said. “You’re not going to go through the whole season without having half an indifferent game, it’s just how it is. We just have to stick together and keep believing in what we’re doing.”
Bolton face Peterborough next at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, and Dacres-Cogley’s availability will be monitored closely in the build-up. His potential return would provide a boost as Wanderers look to bounce back from a rare off-day.
Writer’s View
Bolton’s defeat at Northampton underlined how fine the margins can be in League One. Despite controlling much of the game, they were undone by lapses at both ends of the pitch. Dacres-Cogley’s injury looked worrying at the time, but the suggestion that it may not be serious will come as a relief to supporters.
Schumacher’s message of calm feels measured, and with only two league defeats so far, Wanderers remain well placed to push on. The test now is whether they can rediscover their clinical edge quickly against another promotion rival in Peterborough.
