Team News: Updates on the injured trio and those returning from international duty

All of Bolton's international quartet will be available on Saturday. Thierry Gale, Josh Sheehan, Eoin Toal and Gavin Bazunu returned to the club this week with a clean bill of health and are ready to go for Steven Schumacher's side.

Luca Stephenson and Lewis Brunt, two players who have been recovering from hamstring injuries for some time, featured for the club over the break in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Scottish side Motherwell.

Chris Forino, who suffered a groin injury that forced him to miss two games prior to the break, did not play. Unfortunately for the central defender, he will remain out for this weekend's game.

Despite the fact he won't have one of his best players back this weekend, Bolton boss Schumacher does not believe the injury is serious.

“It was nice to take the stress away for a few days. We gave the players a couple of days off, a bit of time to rest up and spend some time with family, so that was nice.” Said Schumacher.

“But then it gets to a point where you think, ‘Come on, let's get going again’. We did have a good game last weekend, we played against Motherwell. They came down and played us on the stadium pitch so that was good.

“It broke the two-week period up and we've been preparing as best as we can this week with the lads coming back in drips and drabs from international duty. But we are excited and ready to go.”

Akin Famewo, Jayden Nelson and Ryan Hardie, three players who have lacked fitness over the first months of the season, all featured in the match to be ready to go for when football returns this weekend.

“Brunty played in the game against Motherwell. Chris didn't play so we're still being a bit cautious with Chris, he trained and then had a little bit of a sore groin.

“It doesn't seem to be anything too major with the scans that we've had. He did train but didn't play the game against Motherwell, whereas Brunty did. He played 45 minutes with Luca Stephenson. Akin played 70 minutes, Jadon Nelson played 60 minutes.

“The lads who haven't played many minutes lately got a good run out, and then the other boys who have been playing a lot contributed as well."

On the international Whites, Schumacher states all came back healthy, and will be ready for the visit of Stoke, including Gale, who scored six goals in four games for Barbados during the break.

“Everyone has come back in good health,” Schumacher added. “Obviously, Gavin and Toaly didn't play any minutes. Josh did and so did Thierry, but they've all trained.

“Josh trained on Tuesday, Thierry has trained today, Toaly has trained today so they are all clear and going to be available for the weekend.”