Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield has explained why centre back Chris Forino missed the recent 4-2 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

The 23-year-old, who has featured in 14 of the club’s 17 games this season, was not named in the starting 11 or the substitutes bench, with the evergreen Richard Keogh coming in to replace him.

And whilst the 38-year-old deputised reasonably well, he was at fault for Bolton’s fourth strike of the night.

READ MORE: 'We needed to defend better' - Matt Bloomfield's thoughts as Wycombe lose to Bolton

👆 One change to the starting line-up! Chris Forino misses out with a knock so Richard Keogh comes in.

Posted by Wycombe Wanderers FC on Tuesday, 24 October 2023

He lost out to Cameron Jerome in a one-on-one situation which gave the visitors a penalty in the 89th minute.

This was duly dispatched by Aaron Morley as Wycombe lost for only the third time at home since the start of the season in all competitions.  

He said: “It’s too early to say about Chris.

“He got a knock when we faced Peterborough on Saturday so he’s been nursing that.

READ MORE: Live updates at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 2-4 Bolton Wanderers

“This meant he wasn’t ready to be back for tonight, however, we’ll be keeping an eye on him ahead of our trip to Oxford on Saturday.”

The boss also backed Wanderers number one goalkeeper, Max Stryjek, following the defeat.

The Polish shot-stopper was at fault for Bolton’s opener, after he fumbled Paris Maghoma’s tame effort over the line on 15 minutes.

He was then out of position for the Trotters’ second, where he was lobbed by George Thomason nine minutes before half-time.

READ MORE: 'You don’t come here and expect to have it your own way' - Ian Evatt on Wycombe

Whilst he was helpless for the visitor’s third which came from an Eoin Toal header, Stryjek did get a hand on Morley’s penalty in the dying embers of the contest.

Bloomfield added: “He’s a strong character he is Max, and he’s been like that since he’s been with us.

“He’s always performed at the top level in the year-and-a-bit since he’s been here and he’ll be fine.”

Finally, on the performance, he concluded: “We should have got a point at Charlton and Portsmouth, and this is because we’ve got a big belief about what we can do.”