Bolton Wanderers could be without MJ Williams for up to 12 weeks should the midfielder require an operation on the dislocated shoulder he sustained in the defeat against Wycombe Wanderers.
The influential holding midfielder, who had started every league fixture prior to Tuesday's victory over Doncaster Rovers, was withdrawn from Bolton's meeting with Wycombe just prior to the hour mark.
His absence has only served to compound Ian Evatt's injury woes but his absence could be anything from three weeks to three months, depending on whether Williams requires further treatment.
Should Williams not need an operation then it's a massive boost for Wanderers, not least because the prospect of a potential suspension has now been ruled out.
The 26-year-old had clocked up four yellow cards heading into yesterday's contest, where five would result in an automatic one-game suspension.
The cut-off point for five yellow cards is after 19 games, of which was yesterday after Bolton's triumph over Doncaster. That means Williams will no longer be at risk of suspension upon his return to first-team action, with the next stage of the suspension ruling being 10 cautions after 37 matches which results in a two-game suspension.
Quizzed on Williams' condition, Evatt is hopeful of a festive present in the shape of his return.
“MJ’s seeing a specialist on Friday," explained Evatt. "We’ll then know if it needs an immediate operation and if that’s the case, then it’ll be 12 weeks.
"If it’s not and we can get away with just strengthening then it’s probably more like three to four but we’re hopeful that it’ll be the latter.”
