'Family comes first' - Why Ricardo Santos wasn't involved for Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City

Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Almeida Santos missed the win over Lincoln City due to the birth of his son as Ian Evatt passed on his congratulations to the skipper and his family over the new arrival.

Wanderers captain Santos was absent from the Bolton matchday squad which beat the Imps 3-1 last night at the University of Bolton Stadium.

George Johnston put Bolton ahead after the break after nodding home Aaron Morley's corner in the second half versus Micahel Appleton's side.

READ MORE:'Frustrates me' - Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton's view on Bolton Wanderers loss and goals

But the Imps equalised via Cohen Bramall when his shot appeared to take a deflection and get past James Trafford.

However, a pair of substitutes in the form of Kieran Sadlier and Amadou Bakayoko came off the bench to ensure Wanderers picked up another crucial three points to make it six wins in a row at the University of Bolton Stadium and narrow the gap to the play-offs to five points.

Santos was not in the team owing to his partner giving birth to their second son and Evatt was pleased to come away with three points without his influential captain, as he sent the family his congratulations on the new arrival.

The Bolton boss pinpointed the sacrifices that the partners of players make and believes that sometimes, family comes before football with times such as those.

Evatt said: “Sometimes football comes second to family and what we have to remember is all these players have partners, wives, girlfriends, that sacrifice a lot and Rico’s missus has sacrificed and moved to the North West away from her family, away from her friends.

My Bolton Wanderers provides news about the Trotters from the Manchester Evening News.

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