'Of course' - Ian Evatt responds to Danny Cowley's Portsmouth claim over Bolton postponement

Ian Evatt understands why Portsmouth counterpart Danny Cowley wanted the clash against Bolton Wanderers to go ahead due to the players the Whites would have been missing.

The game at Fratton Park last weekend was postponed due to call-ups in the Wanderers camp for the international break. The clash is yet to be rearranged.

Pompey have started the season very well indeed and are the only unbeaten side left in League One. Cowley's side sit third at present with a game in hand and just a point from the top of the division.

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Wanderers had several players called up for their countries recently. Dion Charles and Conor Bradley were on duty with Northern Ireland, James Trafford played for England under-21s, Owen Beck represented Wales under-21s and Amadou Bakayoko linked up with Sierra Leone.

It is likely to now be a Tuesday evening clash when it is eventually rescheduled and be played later on this season. The game being called off was anticipated owing to the international stars within the Bolton squad.

Pompey had international call-ups too. These included Joe Morell for the senior Wales set-up and Harry Jewitt-White for the country's youth side, with Alfie Bridgman on Malta under-19 duty and duo Josh Griffiths and Dane Scarlett for England under-21s and under-20s respectively.

Cowley said Wanderers took the decision to postpone the game, something which Pompey respect. But Portsmouth boss Cowley wanted the game to go ahead as planned, even though they too would have missed players.

Evatt has now responded to Cowley's comments over the postponements and understands why the Pompey boss wanted the game to go ahead against