Ian Evatt reveals next steps to solve key Bolton Wanderers issue | OneFootball

Ian Evatt has revealed that Bolton Wanderers are already planning for next season as they look for a long-term successor to Manchester City loanee James Trafford.

Trafford has been a key player at Bolton throughout the second half of last season and the current campaign having kept 16 clean sheets in all competitions.

He was signed to a long-term deal by City last summer and Ian Evatt believes his destiny is to return to the Etihad as back-up to first-choice stopper Ederson.

That inevitably leads Evatt and the recruitment team with plenty of work to do when it comes to choosing a goalkeeper for next season either on loan, or permanent.

In speaking to Bolton Wanderers supporters trust at their AGM on Thursday evening, Evatt explained that the process to identify and recruit a new stopper is already underway.

When asked about the search by The Bolton News who were reporting during the event, with Evatt said: “It’s definitely on our agenda, myself and Chris (Markham) are already looking ahead to the next window.

“We know in the goalkeeping department that we can’t guarantee we will get James again next season.

“We don’t know what division we are going to be in, number one, but we also don’t know what Manchester City’s plans are, although I understand that next season James will be number two at Manchester City, so we have plans in place to recruit and sign a new goalkeeper in the next window.”

Bolton currently have three stoppers in their ranks, with number two Joel Dixon out of contract at the end of the season and B team players Luke Hutchinson and Mackenzie Chapman also looking for new deals past the summer.

Quiz: Can you name which club Bolton Wanderers signed these 22 players from?

1 of 22

James Trafford?

Manchester City Manchester United Leeds United Southampton

The Verdict

It makes sense for Bolton to in the market for a goalkeeper.

With Trafford, it’s always difficult to attract a loanee for a third campaign in a row, unless Wanderers are in the Championship. That could sway Manchester City in allowing Trafford out on loan again in higher, more competitive league.

But, as Evatt suggested, that’s not a guarantee so putting plans in place is the right thing to do to ensure they’re covered in the long-term.