Bolton Wanderers given Leeds United under-21s warning as Ian Evatt offers Papa Johns Trophy verdict

Ian Evatt believes Leeds United's under-21s are the most senior group out of all Premier League academies in the Papa John's Trophy and believes Bolton Wanderers face a tough encounter as they aim to end their mini goalscoring drought.

Wanderers are in action at the University of Bolton Stadium for the second time in the space of four days this evening when they take on the Yorkshire side's young guns. The Whites drew 0-0 with Barnsley in League One over the weekend.

Evatt's side currently sit top of the Northern Group B. It follows a victory over Crewe Alex and a penalty shootout defeat following a draw last month versus Tranmere Rovers.

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A win this evening will see the Whites book their place in the next round of the competition. But it will not prove to be an easy task after Leeds beat Tranmere 5-3 earlier this month.

Wanderers have not scored in their last three games and will be aiming to bring that to an end this evening. The Wanderers boss also offered his thoughts on allowing top flight academy teams into the competition, which he treats as a serious one as it is a chance to reach Wembley despite it being a fine balance regarding blooding youngsters in the Papa Johns Trophy.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “I think they scored five at Tranmere and I believe they tend to put three or four first team players into their young group. I think out of all the young teams that enter this competition, they’re probably the most senior group and they look to attack and progress.

“So I think it’s going to be a tough game for us, a difficult game but we’ll pay them huge respect and hopefully put an end to this mini