Bolton Changes Five Starters as Forino Misses Wolves Clash

Bolton Wanderers have reshuffled their starting lineup for the Championship meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, while a persistent groin injury will keep defender Chris Forino out for at least two more matches. Manager Steven Schumacher has turned to five new starters as his side prepares for a demanding run of away fixtures, according to Bolton Wanderers' official website and a report published by Yahoo Sports on October 13, 2026. Striker Thelonious Bair earns his first start after scoring his first goal for Bolton in the 2-1 home defeat to Stoke City last Saturday.

Midfielder Atsuki Ito also receives a starting opportunity after scoring the winner during Bolton's previous away trip. Defenders Lewis Brunt and Akin Famewo, along with winger Samuel Iling-Junior, complete Bolton's five changes. Former Aston Villa youngster Max Lott earns his first place in a match-day squad, taking a seat among the substitutes on his return to the Midlands.

Wolves make four changes after losing 1-0 away to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Midfielder Jordan James, who joined from Rennes during the summer, is named in the starting lineup for his first English Football League start, according to Bolton's team news report.

Bolton's starting lineup features Bazunu, Brunt, Sheehan, Bair, Gale, Famewo, Iling-Junior, Ito, Toal, Erhahon and Larrazabal. Their substitutes are Bonham, Simons, Davies, Dalby, Rodrigues, Conway, Nelson, Lott and Hardie. Wolves select Sá, Trippier, Bueno, André, James, Armstrong, Bellegarde, López, Djiga, Mané and Krejcí. Virgínia, Munetsi, Neave, Saïd, Doyle, Chirewa, Toti, Konan and Tchatchoua are named among the substitutes.

Forino's continued absence presents another challenge for Bolton's defense. The 26-year-old has not recovered as quickly as expected from the groin injury he sustained against West Ham more than a month ago, despite initially being expected to return after the international break. Schumacher expects the center-back to resume modified training before progressing toward full-contact work. Speaking to The Bolton News, the manager outlined the proposed recovery schedule.

"Chris is planning on being on part of training on Thursday and Friday," Schumacher told The Bolton News. The initial sessions will depend on how Forino responds, with full-contact training planned for the following week. His potential return remains tied to his progress after those sessions. Schumacher added that the defender could become available for the Middlesbrough fixture on October 23 at the earliest, following Bolton's match against Southampton.

"I don't know whether that will mean he can do all of the session, it'll be modified for the first couple of days, then the week after, he'll be in full-contact training. He could potentially be available for the Boro game, after Southampton."

Bolton's defensive record during Forino's absence has raised concerns. According to the Yahoo Sports report, the team has recorded only one clean sheet since he was injured, conceding six goals across its other two games. Forino had established himself as a key defender following Bolton's promotion to the Championship.

Statistics from FotMob cited in the report show that he has won 75.9% of his aerial duels, placing him among the top 13% of Championship center-backs. His absence has also coincided with difficulties defending set pieces. Bolton have used several options in central defense, including captain Eoin Toal, experienced defender Ben Davies, Brunt and Famewo, while Schumacher continues to assess his available combinations.

Bolton's meeting with Wolves is the first of two away games scheduled within five days. Forino is expected to remain unavailable for the immediate fixtures as he works toward a possible return against Middlesbrough on October 23.