Four key topics Bolton Wanderers must address in bid to catch Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday

Bolton Wanderers face a key month of action when they return from the international break as they hope to keep their hopes of reaching the League One play-offs intact.

Wanderers are 11th in the third tier of English football and nine points from the top six heading into this weekend.

Though Ian Evatt's side do not have a fixture after their clash versus Portsmouth was rearranged due to call-ups in both camps, other sides will be in action with half a dozen fixtures to take place.

READ MORE:Points tally needed for League One play-offs as clear Bolton Wanderers target emerges

Bolton may have a greater gap to the play-offs when they do return to action, but for now, Wanderers have seven games left between now and April to keep their hopes of potential promotion to the Championship alive.

There may be little room for error now and realistically Wanderers are going to need close to the maximum points on offer of 21 to have a chance of being in the mix still and challenge the likes of Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday who are among the sides competing for the play-offs.

And ahead of the return, we've picked out four areas which Wanderers will have to address when they return to action.

Marlon Fossey replacement and formation decision

Wanderers went to a back three in mid-January and it has been a system which has particularly showcased the talents of one player in particular.

Fulham loanee Marlon Fossey had become an integral part of Wanderers' attacks and had scored once as well as notched five assists in a successful move.

But his time at Wanderers came to a premature end when his season was curtailed due to a torn meniscus which has also prompted surgery.

In the first game since that injury blow and Bolton's last