"Would concern me" - Injury fears outlined in Bolton Wanderers pursuit of Southampton deal | OneFootball

FLW's Trotters Fan Pundit provides his view on interest in Dom Ballard following a stint with Reading in 2023-24

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Young Southampton striker Dom Ballard has reportedly been considered for a loan move at Bolton Wanderers.

The 19-year-old spent last season on loan at Reading, netting three times in 10 league appearances at the beginning of the season, before having his temporary switch cut short due to a broken patella tendon.

Journalist Alan Nixon revealed that now, having recovered from that setback, League One trio Huddersfield Town, Bolton and Wycombe Wanderers are all eyeing a loan deal for the teenager.

Bolton Wanderers told to consider Dom Ballard alternatives due to injury concerns

Citing concerns on both the injury and experience front, FLW's Bolton fan pundit Oliver Jaquesbelieves his club might do well to look elsewhere to bolster their squad.

Speaking to Football League World, Oliver said: “Personally, I think we should probably turn our attentions elsewhere in the transfer window.

“We’ve already got quite a lot of options in the forward areas. And even if we were to go for another striker, it wouldn’t be Dom Ballard for me.

“He did do quite well at Reading. There are other options out there on loan who did slightly better. I'm mainly thinking of Joe Taylor - he did well at Colchester first part of the season and then on to Lincoln in the second part, so he’s slightly more proven. “We have been linked as well with some permanent signings possibly. One of those is John McAtee. It’s getting to the point now where we need to get that step up to the Championship and we need to go with more proven players. “And also, the injury would concern me with Dom Ballard, just because, although we have a lot of options in the forward areas, they’re all fairly injury-prone. “Dan Nlundulu had a big injury last season. Dion Charles carried an injury since January. Victor Adeboyejo picked up knocks here and there. It’s just an area where we seem to stack injury-prone players. “Lastly, I think we could probably do with another striker, but priority needs to be wing-backs. We are fairly light in that area and it’s an area that we struggled with last season whether it be because of injuries or just a lack of quality.

“So yeah, I think we should prioritise wing-backs to start with.”

Dom Ballard could be too big of a risk for Bolton Wanderers

The Trotters could face fierce competition in Huddersfield for the temporary switch of Ballard, but it will be a risk for any club that agrees to take him on.

He suffered a broken patella tendon early on in Reading's clash with Wycombe last term and had to be stretchered off, before news landed that he would be out for the rest of the season.

For a striker who had only just entered his adult years and was getting his first taste of senior football, three goals in ten games in the third tier is an exciting return. It'll leave many wondering what he could have ended up with having played a full season.

But, as Oliver said, he presents a risk because you never truly know how any player, particularly a young player, will return from such a significant injury.

The club that does take the risk may be in line for a big reward, though. Ballard proved capable at this level in such a short spell. A year older, given a consistent run of games, he could prove to be a force at that level. It being a loan deal, and Bolton having a strong cast of attacking talent elsewhere in the squad, reduces the risk somewhat.

It could be a risk worth taking for Bolton, but Oliver notes that there are greater gaps to fill further back in the field. Once the squad as a whole is on a better footing, Ballard may be a luxury item to revisit for the Trotters - if he's still available - towards the end of the window.