Bolton Wanderers are continuing to reshape their squad this January, with defender Josh Dacres-Cogley emerging as another likely departure as the club look to create room for incoming business.
The 27-year-old full-back has fallen out of the matchday picture under head coach Steven Schumacher, having not featured in a squad since early December. With Bolton actively seeking to streamline numbers, Dacres-Cogley now appears to be among the players identified to move on before the window closes.
Why the Bolton exodus?
Bolton’s intention this month is twofold. Reducing squad size is viewed as necessary to free up both budget and registration space, allowing targeted reinforcements to arrive quickly as the club chases another promotion challenge in League One. Recent developments suggest that fringe players are being prioritised for exits as part of that process.
Dacres-Cogley joined Bolton in 2023 and played a significant role during his first season, helping the club reach the League One play-off final. During the 2023/24 campaign, he made 55 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and six assists, and established himself as a dependable option on the right side of defence.
Despite that contribution, his role has diminished over the past year. A one-year contract extension agreed in early 2025 suggested short-term security, but increased competition and tactical shifts have seen him slip down the pecking order. Bolton now appear open to a January exit should a suitable opportunity arise.
Interest is expected from clubs operating at a similar level. Dacres-Cogley is keen to remain in League One and ideally join a side with top-half ambitions. His experience, consistency and leadership qualities make him an attractive option for teams seeking reliability rather than development potential.
More departures expected
Behind the scenes, this move aligns with a broader reset at the Toughsheet Stadium. Several players signed under previous management are being reviewed, with Schumacher keen to retain only those who fit his plans moving forward. Recent exits and expected departures underline a clear shift towards a leaner, more defined squad.
Should Dacres-Cogley complete a move, Bolton would be left with a reduced core of players signed before Schumacher’s arrival, reinforcing the sense of a squad now firmly being shaped in his image. With striker recruitment believed to be a priority, further departures are likely before the window shuts.
For another League One club, there is a big opportunity here. Lincoln City had been linked with him when he left Tranmere, and any of those clubs in the bottom 12 would surely see him as a viable option to add intrinsic value to their squad. He won’t be short of suitors.