Bolton begin their Easter programme tomorrow with a trip over the Pennines to play Doncaster.
Anything other than a win would officially signal the end of our play-off chances, and in any case results elsewhere will probably mathematically rule us out come 5pm tomorrow anyway. We might be able to get back in the top ten though, depending on Portsmouth’s result.
Team news
Kieran Lee won’t be used again this season as it’s seen to better to let him reecover from his heel surgery. Dapo Afolayan and Declan John will be available, while Kyle Dempsey might miss out tomorrow. Andrew Tutte is back training, but there’ll be no Ricardo Santos.
Possible XI: Trafford; Jones, Aimson, Johnston; Sadlier, Williams, Morley, John; Afolayan; Charles, Bodvarsson
Last time
Bolton’s last away game at the Keepmoat was in February 2020, Fejiri Okenabirhie and Niall Ennis scored either side of half time to have us 2-0 down, and while Joe Dodoo did capitalise on a Seny Dieng error to pull a goal back for us, it was another night that ended in away defeat in that 2019/20 season.
The opposition
Since we last played Donny they’ve changed their manager. Richie Wellens was sacked and in came Gary McSheffrey. It has been a struggle for them all the same, they are five points from safety and only already-relegated Crewe are below them in the table. Tommy Rowe, technically and physically good, has nine goals this season after returning in the summer. At the other end of the age scale, Man Utd loanee Ethan Galbraith will be a creative influence from midfield.
Prediction
Doncaster should be fighting for their lives, which could make it a tough day. 1-1.