“We had a heart to heart” – Ian Evatt provides transfer update on Bolton Wanderers defender | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers defender Declan John looks set to stay at the club beyond this window after a positive meeting with Ian Evatt.

Saturday’s 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic was the 27-year-old’s first appearance for the club since the beginning of October.

John has found himself down the pecking order at Wanderers in the last few months, as he’s seen players like Jack Iredale and Randell Williams feature predominantly in the left wing-back role after Evatt stated John lacked consistency last season.

John has only featured 12 times in all competitions this season, with seven of those coming in League One.

The 27-year-old came off the bench at half time to replace George Johnston and now with Owen Beck returning to his parent club Liverpool this month and Kieran Sadlier joining Leyton Orient on loan, John has moved up in squad places.

Bolton are believed to have already turned one bid down from a League One side to take John on loan for the remainder of the season.

Evatt was asked after the win over Charlton, whether John’s fortunes had changed for the better. He told The Bolton News: “We had a bit of a heart to heart myself and Declan last week, off the back of how he has been training more than anything else. He has been training superbly well.

“He looks back to his old self, enjoying his football again, and at that moment it is time to reintegrate him into the group. Second half I think he showed what he can do for us. I am really pleased with him.”

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

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James Trafford?

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The Verdict

Bolton have just let Sadlier leave the club on a temporary basis and have also seen Beck’s loan spell at the University of Bolton Stadium end. Therefore, John’s short-term future seems to be at the League One club.

It will be a big plus for the defender that two players have left the club in recent days who were rivals for his position. Plus, his substitute appearance at the weekend will have been a big boost in terms of his chances of featuring more for the Trotters.

Iredale and Williams are obviously Evatt’s preferred choices at left wingback, but if John keeps improving and impressing in training, he could be in line for more appearances.