Bolton Wanderers have been dealt several selection problems ahead of Tuesday night’s Championship meeting with West Ham United. Captain Josh Sheehan is suspended following his red card at Millwall, while Lewis Brunt has joined Luca Stephenson on the injury list and left Steven Schumacher short of natural options at right-back.
The issues arrive at a difficult moment for Bolton, who welcome Nuno Espírito Santo’s side after three consecutive Championship defeats.
Saturday’s 4-0 loss at Millwall was particularly damaging. Bolton’s official results confirm the defeat, while Sheehan was sent off late in the contest and Brunt was forced from the field with an injury.
West Ham therefore head to the Toughsheet Community Stadium facing opponents with important decisions to make.
Bolton team news vs West Ham: Josh Sheehan suspended
Sheehan will miss Tuesday’s game after being dismissed at The Den.
The Wales international has started all five of Bolton’s Championship matches this season, making his absence particularly significant. Opta records 446 league minutes for Sheehan so far, while his dismissal against Millwall was his first red card of the campaign.
Sky Sports reported that Sheehan and Millwall midfielder Jenson Metcalfe were both dismissed for violent conduct during the closing stages of Bolton’s 4-0 defeat.
The suspension removes Bolton’s captain from a midfield already preparing for a difficult assignment against a West Ham side coming off consecutive victories.
Our Bolton vs West Ham preview looks at the wider form picture ahead of Tuesday night’s 8pm kick-off.
Lewis Brunt injury leaves Bolton short at right-back
Bolton’s defensive situation has also worsened.
Brunt, who started at right-back against Millwall, was forced off late in the game and has now joined Stephenson on the sidelines.
Fresh local reporting carried by Yahoo Sports says the problem leaves Gaizka Larrazabal as Bolton’s only specialist senior right-back currently available.
Schumacher has at least confirmed Larrazabal is fit to return after being left out of the squad at Millwall.
“Larra should be fine for Tuesday night.”
The Bolton boss also revealed Stephenson has only recently returned to jogging on grass and will not be available until after the international break.
That leaves Schumacher with a clear decision on the right side of his defence.
Larrazabal could return directly to the XI, or Bolton may be forced to reshape a back line that has conceded seven goals across its previous two Championship fixtures.
That could be particularly relevant given our West Ham predicted XI against Bolton backs Edvin Austbø for his first start after the Norwegian scored and assisted against Derby County.
West Ham have their own fitness concerns
Nuno does not travel north with a completely clean bill of health.
Our latest West Ham injury news ahead of Bolton covers the fitness concerns surrounding Taty Castellanos and Pablo.West Ham injury news vs Bolton: Castellanos and Pablo remain doubts
The difference is that West Ham’s Deadline Day business has given Nuno substantially more options across several positions.
Bolton must now prepare for the fixture without their captain and with limited choices at right-back.
Those problems do not guarantee anything for West Ham, particularly given the Hammers are still searching for their first away Championship victory.
They do, however, add another potential area for Nuno’s side to target as they chase a third consecutive league win.
