"Suits all parties" - 29-year-old backed for Bolton Wanderers exit | OneFootball

FLW's Bolton Wanderers fan pundit has been speaking on the potential summer exit for out of contract defender Gethin Jones.

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…

Bolton Wanderers defender Gethin Jones is reportedly attracting attention from Australian clubs ahead of his Wanderers contract expiring in the summer.

That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon reporting via his Patreon. However, it's not yet understood which Australian A-League sides are after the 29-year-old.

Jones has been a Wanderer since joining from Carlisle United on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, and has largely been a key part of the starting XI at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in recent years.

However, a knee injury has limited his playing time this season, and as such, the Perth-born centre-back could be about to call time on his stay in Greater Manchester at the end of the campaign.

"Suits all parties" - Gethin Jones told to seek Bolton Wanderers exit in the summer

To find out more regarding whether Jones would be a big loss for Bolton, and the likelihood of him moving back Down Under, we spoke with our Wanderers fan pundit Liam O'Meara.

Discussing the impact Jones' departure could have on Bolton, O'Meara said: "Gethin Jones getting interest from Australia, I think that suits all parties to be completely honest.

"I think Gethin is someone who is starting to struggle, and someone who potentially would have to drop down quite a bit in the English leagues if he wants to maintain at this level."

If Jones is to make his Bolton exit in the summer, would a move to Australian football be the best course of action for him to take? O'Meara certainly believes so.

O'Meara said: "So, if he wants to maintain his career as an Australian international, for me, the best way to do that is to put himself in the shop window playing at the top end of the A-League. So yes, I could see that happening."

Bolton Wanderers would need to replace Gethin Jones despite his diminished role this season

O'Meara made reference to Jones beginning to show signs of slowing down recently, whether that be because of age, injury or a combination of both. The data certainly provides evidence to support that belief in certain categories too.

His recoveries and chances created per 90 are at their lowest during his Bolton career so far, whilst he's registered higher numbers in the past for interceptions per 90, and tackles won per 90 respectively - as per FotMob.

However, he's also winning more duels per 90 so far this season than at any stage of his Wanderers career, which would suggest that there's still plenty of life in the Socceroos star yet.

“He is an important player for us and one who can obviously play in a wing-back role or as a centre-back, so I think that’s an important string to his bow,” Bolton boss Ian Evatt told The Bolton News of Jones back in October 2024.

“He can do the job for both and I think if you look at his win ratio for this team, it’s pretty good. His record – and I am not saying it is just down to him – but he has been a big part of what we have done over a number of years now.

“He is a leader, a good person, and he helps others. And having him available will only increase the quality we have to pick from and the squad depth." It's clear, then, that despite not seeing the pitch as much for Wanderers this season, he's still a highly valued member of the squad.

Jones' versatility would need replacing as such, as would the hole he would leave in the Bolton dressing room from a leadership and experience perspective. But at this stage of his career, if regular football can no longer be guaranteed, a move away may well be the best for all parties at the end of the season.