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Neil Lennon has fired a broadside at defender Kevin McNaughton after claiming he was not coming up to scratch in training.
The Wanderers boss is concerned about the 32-year-old’s fitness levels and currently has no plans to include him in his match-day squad, despite struggling for recognised full-backs.
McNaughton has not played since October and the outlook appears bleak for the experienced Cardiff City defender, who was brought in on loan by Dougie Freedman for the rest of this season.
“Kevin McNaughton is just not training to the level we want him to and he’s required to,” Lennon told The Bolton News.
“He’s not always 100 per cent fit so we just have to keep an eye on him in terms of Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday games.
“He’s not really been in our plans because Josh Vela has done so well there and we like a bit of pace and strength there in the right-back position.”
Lennon returned to a flat back four in the 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, drafting midfielder Josh Vela into the defence.
The Northern Irishman has also used a wing-back system of late, and also has youngster Oscar Threlkeld as back-up.
But many fans have called for a return for McNaughton, who provided a steadying influence for the Whites last season but has struggled with hamstring problems since returning for a second spell.
He started the first three games after Lennon took charge but has not featured at all since the 3-1 home win over Brentford on October 25.
Cardiff boss Russell Slade hinted before Christmas that he wanted to take a closer look at both McNaughton and Joe Mason, who was then on loan at the Macron.
Mason eventually returned to South Wales but as yet, no arrangement has been made for McNaughton to do the same.
Meanwhile, Lennon will have Matt Mills back from suspension for Saturday’s home clash with Brighton but is unsure whether Craig Davies will be fit enough to face his former club.
“I don’t know about Craig,” he said. “He’s the next one you’d expect to come back but as we speak I can’t guarantee he’ll be involved. Adam Bogdan will be back in training next week.
“We need some bodies back because we need to start picking up some points with two home games coming up.”
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The Wanderers boss is concerned about the 32-year-old’s fitness levels and currently has no plans to include him in his match-day squad, despite struggling for recognised full-backs.
McNaughton has not played since October and the outlook appears bleak for the experienced Cardiff City defender, who was brought in on loan by Dougie Freedman for the rest of this season.
“Kevin McNaughton is just not training to the level we want him to and he’s required to,” Lennon told The Bolton News.
“He’s not always 100 per cent fit so we just have to keep an eye on him in terms of Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday games.
“He’s not really been in our plans because Josh Vela has done so well there and we like a bit of pace and strength there in the right-back position.”
Lennon returned to a flat back four in the 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, drafting midfielder Josh Vela into the defence.
The Northern Irishman has also used a wing-back system of late, and also has youngster Oscar Threlkeld as back-up.
But many fans have called for a return for McNaughton, who provided a steadying influence for the Whites last season but has struggled with hamstring problems since returning for a second spell.
He started the first three games after Lennon took charge but has not featured at all since the 3-1 home win over Brentford on October 25.
Cardiff boss Russell Slade hinted before Christmas that he wanted to take a closer look at both McNaughton and Joe Mason, who was then on loan at the Macron.
Mason eventually returned to South Wales but as yet, no arrangement has been made for McNaughton to do the same.
Meanwhile, Lennon will have Matt Mills back from suspension for Saturday’s home clash with Brighton but is unsure whether Craig Davies will be fit enough to face his former club.
“I don’t know about Craig,” he said. “He’s the next one you’d expect to come back but as we speak I can’t guarantee he’ll be involved. Adam Bogdan will be back in training next week.
“We need some bodies back because we need to start picking up some points with two home games coming up.”
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