#efl-trophy

#efl-trophy

Starting with the hosts, while Bolton might have marked their return from November's international break with consecutive League One stalemates against Luton and Tuesday's guests, Steven Schumacher's men are widely regarded as a standout play-off candidate this season. Extending on their FA Cup adventure last month as they clinched a 2-1 victory against Huddersfield, the Trotters are unbeaten in all of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

Alex Revell's Stevenage side have won all three of their EFL Trophy matches this season and are second in League One, one point behind leaders Cardiff City with a game in hand. Lewis Orford twice set up Phoenix Patterson before scoring Boro's fifth of the game at Lamex Stadium. Harry Lee's own goal had given the hosts the lead before Jovan Malcolm doubled the lead on 24 minutes.

With the mood around Valley Parade at a red-hot high, Graham Alexander's men are certainly riding an extended wave of momentum. Currently sat second in the League One standings and with their sights firmly set on mounting another iconic promotion charge, the former Salford boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits. Mounting a second-half comeback away at Rotherham over the weekend as they snatched a thrilling 2-2 stalemate away at their local rivals,

Christian Nourry expressed that Kwame Poku's choice to join QPR, despite interest from wealthier clubs, validates the club's progressive direction and ambition.