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George Johnston is backing Wanderers to find the right replacements for James Trafford and Conor Bradley this summer.
Ian Evatt is on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and right wing-back after last season’s loan stars returned to Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively.
Accrington’s Toby Savin and Brighton’s James Beadle have been linked as potential replacements for Trafford, while former Coventry City flyer Fankaty Dabo looks like the man Bolton want to step into Bradley’s boots.
Johnston reckons both youngsters will be missed by the Wanderers squad – but is confident that the squad will evolve without them.
“Losing players is nothing new,” he told The Bolton News. “And we have managed before.
“Anyone would love to have Traff or Con in their team, so they will definitely be missed.
“They were great. Both of them came into the dressing room as kids, really, but they have left the club as men.
“It will definitely be a big hole for someone to come in and fill because as well as being great players they were great personalities to have around as well.
“But that’s football. The game moves on and we will move on as a team.”
With the summer transfer window only a couple of days old, Portsmouth, Lincoln and Oxford have been the busiest of the League One clubs in the transfer market so far.
Wanderers have secured new contracts for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, MJ Williams and Josh Sheehan but are yet to add any new names to a first team squad which currently numbers 17 players with senior experience.
Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry claims Bolton are one of a few clubs who have touched base with them about experienced midfielder Ollie Norburn.
The 30-year-old has 12 months left on his contract and Posh want to recoup as much of the £350,000 they paid for him to Shrewsbury Town two seasons ago.
Bolton-born Norburn is known to want a return to the North West and would be keen on a move to Wanderers – but an official bid has yet to be made.
Last season’s average home attendance, including the play-off semi-final against Barnsley, was 19,007 – the highest numbers since the club dropped out of the Premier League 11 years ago.
The omens are already good for 2023/24, with record season ticket sales reported by the club before they went on general sale.
The average away support of 1,594 was also the fifth highest in the division, according to data from The 72.
Johnston paid tribute to the support which followed the Whites up and down the land last season.
“They have been massive for us,” he said. “The attendances grew week on week.
“We are very thankful for that support and hopefully it can continue into next season and into the future because they are very important for us.”
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