By james art The former Luton Town man was put in a better position alongside Josh Sheehan and Kyle Dempsey against Burton Albion on Saturday and can now keep his place at Birmingham City tonight.
Ian Evatt may have goalkeeper Nathan Baxter and centre-back Eoin Toal available for selection again, but will have to make a decision in midfield, with Scott Arfield, Clyde Lolos and Jay Matete also fighting for a place.
The Bolton boss admits he has lost his captain for the next few games, given he has been one of the first names in the squad for the past 18 months.
“George is disappointed because apart from the knee injury he had a year or two ago, he’s not someone who’s going to get injured, especially muscle injuries,” he said. “He is one of our strongest players.
“It was a freak accident and sometimes it can happen. The way the ball hit him and the movement he was making at the time of contact just forced him into a position that didn’t sit well with his hamstring. He overextended himself and it is what it is.
“We’re sad to lose him but Saturday’s result was huge considering we didn’t have Nathan Baxter, Eoin Toal or George Thomason who were the backbone of the team. Anyone losing the backbone of the team can be a drag, but the boys have stepped up. Now we have to make a plan for Tuesday.”
Evatt hinted he could make changes to the side that beat Burton to keep his squad fresh, with Victor Adeboyejo also pushing for a recall up front.
Baxter and Toal both withdrew late at the weekend but it is hoped both will be available against the league leaders in the first meeting between the two clubs since February 2019.
He said: “We’ve got a squad of players who all want to play, that’s the nature of football, they all want to play every week. But football has changed and the mindset has to change, it’s about the badge on the front, not the name on the back.
“We play for a collective purpose and ambition. Everyone can have their own individual goals and ambitions, but I’ve never seen anyone win anything as an individual, it’s all about the team. Such should be our mind.’