THERE is no such thing as a good time to face Bolton Wanderers, says Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham.

The Trotters are set to be without four first team forwards when they welcome United to the Toughsheet Community Stadium tonight.

Between them, Victor Adeboyejo, Dion Charles, Dan Nlundulu and Carlos Mendes Gomes have scored 26 goals in Sky Bet League One this season, and 36 across all competitions.

However, 10-goal Adeboyejo suffered a hamstring injury in Bolton’s 2-2 draw at Exeter City on Saturday, joining the other three on the sidelines.

Despite the injuries, experienced duo Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Cameron Jerome, plus Aaron Collins, who was signed from Bristol Rovers for a reported £750,000 on January deadline day, remain available for the Trotters.

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Ian Evatt’s side are also experiencing a blip in form, compared to the lofty standards they have set so far this campaign.

The Trotters have won three times in their last 10 League One games, with two of those against a struggling Cambridge United side.

U’s head coach Buckingham was asked that with the mini injury crisis up front and their relatively patchy form, whether there is such a thing as a good time to take on Bolton.

He said: “No, I don’t think so. Those teams that sit in the top six, seven or eight positions are there for a reason, and have got good squads.

“They’re consistent in what they do, and Bolton have shown, certainly at home, how good they can be.

“We’ve done as much work as we can on them and we’ll prepare our team as well as we can, to make sure we put a good account of ourselves across.”

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He added: “They’re a team that really wants to try and play. When we play teams like that, it suits us a lot more than maybe what Saturday did against Cheltenham.

“It’s one we’re looking forward to, and if we can replicate the performance from Fratton Park, and add the result from Saturday, we’ll try and get the two together, and come away with what we want.

“Bolton at home in front of their own fans are expected to be a good team and play with the ball. They have a certain way of playing, and some very good players.”

The fixture is being televised live on Sky Sports, with United’s recent record less than desirable when on TV.

Buckingham said: “It’s my first time on Sky, and I know the history of it. I think it plays an irrelevance to where we are now.

“We’ll enjoy it and hopefully put on a good show. It’s a chance for people to see what we’re trying to do here, and show our club across the country, and the work that does take place here.”