Bolton Wanderers have reportedly allowed former player Cameron Jerome back to the club to watch training, after cutting ties with the player in June.
The League One side welcomed the striker back to the club on Thursday as he continues to weigh up his options after becoming a free agent at the end of the previous campaign.
The now 38-year-old forward only spent a year and a half with the Trotters having moved from Luton Town in January 2023. He has also been on the books of MK Dons, Derby County, Goztepe, Norwich City, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough. Jerome boasts over 743 career appearances, including 211 in the Premier League, scoring 163 goals and contributing 72 assists since he broke through in 2004.
There will be some question marks over whether the player can continue to contribute at this level due to his age and whether a potential drop to League Two may be the best course of action. Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp has already demonstrated how a drop into the fourth tier at 38 can be beneficial having already scored four goals in eight games for his former club.
However, it would appear as though his return to the club was more in a capacity to share experience and help Ian Evatt at this early stage of the season.
The manager shared an update to The Bolton News. “We had Cam come to visit us again today, it is great to have him in. He still wants to dip in, help the players and be another pair of lenses for me to look through and lean on.
“It has been great to have these senior players to speak to and see what they think. Scotty (Arfield) is a huge part of that but he still has a burning desire to play regularly and help this team. I think he will help us.”
Does this mean Bolton Wanderers will re-sign him?
Unfortunately for the player, it is unlikely but not impossible. The club have moved on now having had an entire summer window. In the 23/24 season he only scored three league goals in 30 appearances and was more often than not used as a late cameo deep into the game’s final moments.
He did clearly have a good relationship with the club and you often find free agents continuing to train at their former clubs to stay fit whilst looking for a new home. Especially signing mid way through the season a player will need to be ready to go