Wanderers kick off a busy run of festive fixtures with a tough trip to League One leaders Wycombe.

Ian Evatt’s men are looking for a response following their poor showing against local rivals Wigan last weekend.

The Whites find themselves eighth in the table – a point off the play-off places with a game in hand at this stage.

Team news

Wanderers are light in numbers in defence, with Ricardo Santos and George Johnston both missing through suspension.

Eoin Toal and Chris Forino remain sidelined. Wil Forrester started against Huddersfield in the Vertu Trophy and Josh Dacres-Cogley has slotted into the back three at times.

Jordi Osei-Tutu is also set to miss the fixture after limping off against Wigan, although the wing-back should be fine for Barnsley on Boxing Day.

Carlos Mendes Gomes made his return from an Achilles injury for the B Team on Wednesday afternoon, getting 45 minutes under his belt.

Aaron Morley has become a big player for the hosts in recent months but is not available to play against his parent club.

Opposition lowdown

Wycombe are unbeaten in their last 17 games in the league, with their last defeat coming against Birmingham in August.

Matt Bloomfield’s side secured a 4-1 win at Shrewsbury last weekend thanks to goals from Beryly Lubala, Caleb Taylor, Fred Onyedinma and Dan Udoh.

Former Bolton loanee Taylor, whose stint at the Toughsheet Community Stadium was disrupted by injury, has made 17 appearances for the Chairboys to date.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have only faced Wycombe eight times in competitive fixtures, with a record of three wins and five defeats.

Evatt’s men secured their first-ever win at Adams Park last weekend, with Paris Maghoma, George Thomason, Eoin Toal and Morley all getting on the scoresheet.

Bolton also came out on top on home turf several months later thanks to goals from Gethin Jones and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

Predicted line-up

(Image: buildlineup.com)