GETHIN Jones will miss a big chunk of Wanderers’ New Year fixtures after being called up by Australia for the Asian Cup.
Bolton’s vice-captain was scheduled to be brought into Graham Arnold’s squad for the first time as The Bolton News went to press last night, making him ineligible for selection following the game at Fleetwood on December 29.
Jones, who was born in Perth, will fly to Qatar for the six-week competition, where he will play in group matches against Syria, Uzbekistan, and India. The 10th of February will see the last match.
Carlos Mendes Gomes is also anticipated to be confirmed in Guinea Bissau’s team for the African Cup of Nations; Jack Iredale has not been chosen. As a result, he will be sidelined following the Boxing Day match at Lincoln City until the end of their involvement.
In addition to considering bringing in backup for Mendes Gomes, Wanderers now have a whole new set of issues at centre back and wing back as a result of Jones’s injury.
When asked if the call-up will have an impact on his intentions for the transfer window that opens next month, he replied, “Maybe.” We are constantly searching, as I’ve mentioned, and I believe we have a strong pool of individuals to choose from. But once we get there, all we’ll have to do is keep an eye on things.
“January is when we will actually need to make some decisions, but we have done a tonne of work and I’m really confident in the information we have gathered.”
Evatt stated that although Jones has his approval to participate in the tournament, the Bolton manager is still irritated that there is no club compensation mechanism because the Asian Football Confederation, not FIFA or UEFA, is in charge of organising it.
“I have no issues at all with Geth wanting to represent Australia and travelling abroad to compete,” the man stated. It seems to reflect where he is in his career, and I’m very happy for him.
“My contention stems from the fact that we are not being compensated. The teams lose money for six weeks while the player is away, we have to pay salary, and there is a risk of injury.
That doesn’t seem fair to me or sit well. However, I have no issues with any player wanting to play for their nation, and I hope Gethin represents our club brilliantly, as I have no doubt he will.
“I anticipate Australia to advance rather far in the competition, so his return to our group won’t happen until early February. Of course, we hope the best for him and Australia.
When the Wanderers host Leyton Orient at the Toughsheet Stadium this weekend, Evatt will be looking to record his 100th victory as manager.
He is now looking on his players to respond after his team let some of their standards drop against Oxford, Portsmouth, and Bristol Rovers.
“In my perspective, the entire game revolves around us,” he remarked. “That is not meant as an insult to the opposition, as everyone is motivated to succeed and has a plan.However, I have confidence in my team because we have demonstrated that when we get together and play, we are a formidable team.
“All we need to do is concentrate on ourselves and work on improving.”
