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Wanderers remain confident that Conor Bradley will remain with them for the rest of the season despite rumoured interest from Championship side Preston North End.
The Liverpool defender can be recalled in January, should his parent club feel his career would be better served elsewhere.
Bradley has been one of Bolton’s most consistent performers in the opening third of the season, scoring three goals in his 19 appearances in all competitions.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe has run checks on the Northern Ireland international, taking in the recent game against Burton Albion. More rumours of January interest - even including Premier League Wolves - have recent done the rounds.
Evatt feels secure, however, after conversations with Liverpool that he can retain Bradley’s services until May.
“Liverpool are able to do it [recall him] but all the conversations that we’ve had is Conor is here for the season,” he said. “Obviously, because of how well he has done there are going to be other suitors.
“But all we can do is give him all the support on and off the pitch that we’ve given him. We’ve given him a great opportunity.
“He’s repaid us with his performances. We like to think we’ve been and done very well for him as well, so hopefully the relationship continues but I don’t think we’re too worried about losing him in January.”
Bradley was joined at Wanderers by his Liverpool team-mate Owen Beck, who featured as a substitute in the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Barnsley in the FA Cup first round.
While Evatt was disappointed to end his involvement in the competition so early, he felt Beck’s performance in the latter stages of the game was proof he has made progress in his time at the club.
“Owen had to be really patient,” he said. “He has had to work and wait for his time and his chance and worked extremely hard on the training pitch and I thought he was good when he came on as well, so that’s a positive.”
Beck’s only previous football for Bolton had been in the Papa Johns Trophy but he has recently nudged ahead of established first teamer Declan John to take a place on the bench, and then in the first team.
Evatt believes that now the Wales Under-21 international has acclimatised to life with Wanderers, he can play a bigger part.
“Owen is that Liverpool mould of a full-back which suits the way that we play. I think by his own admission, coming back from Portugal affected him a little bit and we’ve had to be extremely patient,” he said.
“But I was delighted with what he showed us against Barnsley. I’m delighted with his attitude and what he’s shown us on the training pitch and I still think he’s going to have a huge part to play for us this season.”
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