'Decent test' - What Ian Evatt wants to see from Bolton Wanderers against Stockport County

Ian Evatt believes today's pre-season friendly against Stockport County will give Bolton Wanderers a 'decent marker' as to where they are at at this stage of their preparations for the campaign.

Wanderers have won their opening two clashes in pre-season against non-league opposition. They beat Longridge Town 9-0 and followed it up with a 3-1 victory over the weekend versus Chorley.

This afternoon, Evatt will take his side to County's training ground for a behind closed doors workout. The game is not being held at either the University of Bolton Stadium or Edgeley Park owing to pitch renovation work at both grounds.

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It will be the first taste of EFL opposition for Wanderers in pre-season after the Hatters were promoted to League Two as National League champions. Clashes against Watford, Carlisle United and Huddersfield Town will also follow in the weeks to come.

Though wary of it being a better test to see where they are in terms of their pre-season preparations, Evatt believes it will not define anything and Wanderers will use it as another chance to improve fitness and sharpness. It is a pre-season schedule at this moment in time where the Whites are taking no chances in terms of injuries with any fears leading to a player being withdrawn from the action, as has been seen so far with MJ Williams and George Johnston.

Williams was left out of the opening pre-season friendly vs Longridge owing to a swollen knee. Johnston meanwhile was withdrawn just before half-time of the win versus Chorley.

Evatt said: "It’s a better test and challenge than the ones we’ve faced as yet and will give us a decent marker as to where