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Kieran Sadlier will be given the deciding vote on whether to stay with Wanderers this season.
Ian Evatt says he has been pleased with the popular attacker’s attitude and condition since the club returned for pre-season, and that the door is not closed on him staying to fight for a place in the team.
Sadlier spent the last few months of last season on loan with Leyton Orient, helping the Londoners to promotion from League Two and making 19 appearances.
He also made a positive contribution for Wanderers – scoring five times in 28 games – but crucially, only managing one start in the league.
Displaced somewhat by the tactical system Evatt introduced last summer, the former Rotherham and Doncaster Rovers man was tested out in several different positions, from wing-back to centre-forward, but could not nail down a regular place.
Sadlier has a year left on his contract and with Wanderers likely to continue in the same vein, Evatt says he will give the 28-year-old room to make his decision.
“The door is never shut, and I have said that to Kieran himself,” he told The Bolton News from the pre-season training game on The Algarve.
“If he wants to be a part of our squad then he needs to get his head down and work, as he is doing. He has worked really hard here and his fitness levels are very good.
“Obviously with how last season ended, playing time, how we play at the moment and how he fits into that, it is difficult.
“If something comes along – and Kieran will make the decision with that – so if he wants to explore it then we will sit down and look at it.
“But at the moment he is our player, he is here with us and training very well.”
Wanderers confirmed a contract extension for defender Gethin Jones yesterday, following on from a similar new agreement with midfielder Kyle Dempsey.
Evatt believes the pre-emptive action is a good reflection on the state Wanderers are in at present.
“It shows the position we are in as a football club now,” he said. “For us it is about who has done well, how long do they have left on their contract, and do we need to protect our asset?
“We are willing to be on the front foot to avoid any uncomfortable or unwilling conversations moving forward.
“It is a marker. It means we are proactive and functioning correctly.”
Wanderers will return from Portugal at the weekend to begin preparations for their first pre-season friendly at Bamber Bridge on Saturday, July 8 (3pm kick-off).
Northern Premier League side Brig start their pre-season this Saturday with the visit of Championship Preston North End.
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