Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher has confirmed his side are set for at least two new signings in the final days of the January transfer window.
Wanderers have ramped up their business in the last few days, attempting to finally crack League One and win promotion back to the Championship.
And the Bolton manager has set his sights on a new striker and midfielder, at the very least, ahead of deadline day on Monday, according to Marc Iles.
New Look Front Line
It has already been a busy week in Lancashire for the Trotters. Wingers Rob Apter and Corey Blackett-Taylor have been signed on loan deals from Blackpool and Derby County, respectively. Both players are in line to make their debuts for Schumacher’s side in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off at AFC Wimbledon.
A new striker is next on the agenda, and, according to reports, that man could be Wrexham forward Ryan Hardie. Bolton face stiff competition from other third-tier clubs, who will be on high alert now that it appears the 28-year-old will be available in the final knockings of the window.
Former club Plymouth Argyle are said to be another side interested in acquiring his services, after hitting double figures in four successive seasons at Home Park. But Schumacher managed Hardie during his time in the south west, which could give them the advantage in what is likely to be an intense battle for the seasoned EFL striker.
If Hardie does sign for the Trotters, then competition in forward positions is likely to be extremely strong, giving Bolton that extra edge ahead of the final few months of the season. Sam Dalby’s brace on Tuesday evening defeated Burton Albion, making it three goals in five games for the former Wrexham man.
Money To Spend
Another position that Wanderers are targeting is in midfield. That comes after Aaron Morley exited the club yesterday, in favour of a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers, following his successful loan stint at the Chairboys last term. It is believed that Bolton have banked £750,000 for the out-of-favour midfielder, with the fee potentially rising to £1m based on various add-ons.
That gives Bolton money to play with, and they may look to reinvest it in a similar position to where Morley played. He started his final Trotters game alongside Ethan Erhahon on Tuesday evening against the Brewers, with the latter enduring a stop-start campaign since leaving Lincoln City in the summer.
The Imps are the side that Bolton are currently chasing down, with a six-point gap separating the two teams ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. There is even potential for “possibly one more” arrival, according to the Bolton gaffer. Having played a game more than Lincoln, Wanderers will need as much quality as possible to overhaul Michael Skubala’s side, who are 11 League One games unbeaten.
And with the two teams set to battle on Valentine’s Day next month, both teams will line up with a very different side to the ones that drew at the Toughsheet Community Stadium back in August. All the focus is on Bolton in the final few days of the window, to see which new players they are able to sign in the race for Championship football next season.