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Ian Evatt is confident that competition for places at right back remains strong, despite the loss of Peter Kioso.
The 21-year-old was recalled by parent club Luton Town earlier this month, but instead of returning to the University of Bolton Stadium to see out the remainder of the initial season-long loan agreed, Kioso moved up a level to League One Northampton Town.
But Evatt says it does not necessarily mean he will be looking for an alternative in what's left of the transfer window.
“Obviously that right-back role, we’ve got Gethin (Jones), Harry (Brockbank), we’ve got young Jak (Hickman) as well, so we’re quite well stocked in that area," said the Bolton boss.
"Obviously it opens up a space elsewhere in the squad that hopefully we can strengthen and the money going back into the cap helps as well.
"We’ve got more than enough room in the cap, it’s about the choices we make. We’re not just trying to get quick fixes now with these two, we’re trying to bring players in that can make a substantial difference to the club moving forwards and be part of a group that can hopefully take this club on and progress through this division, but hopefully to the next as well.”
Evatt was keen to keep Kioso, but he understands the reasons why it was not possible, which went beyond football.
“To be honest, I can’t speak highly enough of Peter as a lad," the Bolton boss explained.
"Peter picked up the phone to me on Sunday night personally and called me to tell me what was happening and also said how grateful and thankful he was for having this opportunity and being part of this football club and learning from me.
"But I understand that he’s a 21-year-old kid away from home in the middle of a pandemic and that’s really challenging and difficult for these lads and we forget that.
"Some of these young players are staying in the club hotel and other than being at work, can’t socialise with anybody else. They’re away from their families, away from their parents, it’s a really challenging time and I respect the fact that he will have loved to have come back in normal circumstances, but the fact that he can live at home and be with his family was a big plus and the fact that they’re in League One.
"I have to respect that, I do respect that, and we thank Luton and Nathan (Jones) for lending him to us for the period of time that they did and thank Peter for all his efforts.”
Of the amicable arrangement, Evatt added: “Nathan was delighted with the progress he’s made and he called me personally to tell me that.
"He said that what we’ve been teaching him and what we’ve coached him is excellent and he’s come back in real good shape.
"He was really pleased and Nathan would have been more than happy for him to come back here.
"From what I understand, it was the player’s personal decision purely for the reasons that I’ve just stated and you have to respect that and I do respect that.”
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The 21-year-old was recalled by parent club Luton Town earlier this month, but instead of returning to the University of Bolton Stadium to see out the remainder of the initial season-long loan agreed, Kioso moved up a level to League One Northampton Town.
But Evatt says it does not necessarily mean he will be looking for an alternative in what's left of the transfer window.
“Obviously that right-back role, we’ve got Gethin (Jones), Harry (Brockbank), we’ve got young Jak (Hickman) as well, so we’re quite well stocked in that area," said the Bolton boss.
"Obviously it opens up a space elsewhere in the squad that hopefully we can strengthen and the money going back into the cap helps as well.
"We’ve got more than enough room in the cap, it’s about the choices we make. We’re not just trying to get quick fixes now with these two, we’re trying to bring players in that can make a substantial difference to the club moving forwards and be part of a group that can hopefully take this club on and progress through this division, but hopefully to the next as well.”
Evatt was keen to keep Kioso, but he understands the reasons why it was not possible, which went beyond football.
“To be honest, I can’t speak highly enough of Peter as a lad," the Bolton boss explained.
"Peter picked up the phone to me on Sunday night personally and called me to tell me what was happening and also said how grateful and thankful he was for having this opportunity and being part of this football club and learning from me.
"But I understand that he’s a 21-year-old kid away from home in the middle of a pandemic and that’s really challenging and difficult for these lads and we forget that.
"Some of these young players are staying in the club hotel and other than being at work, can’t socialise with anybody else. They’re away from their families, away from their parents, it’s a really challenging time and I respect the fact that he will have loved to have come back in normal circumstances, but the fact that he can live at home and be with his family was a big plus and the fact that they’re in League One.
"I have to respect that, I do respect that, and we thank Luton and Nathan (Jones) for lending him to us for the period of time that they did and thank Peter for all his efforts.”
Of the amicable arrangement, Evatt added: “Nathan was delighted with the progress he’s made and he called me personally to tell me that.
"He said that what we’ve been teaching him and what we’ve coached him is excellent and he’s come back in real good shape.
"He was really pleased and Nathan would have been more than happy for him to come back here.
"From what I understand, it was the player’s personal decision purely for the reasons that I’ve just stated and you have to respect that and I do respect that.”
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