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CRAIG Dawson has urged Wanderers to take him back to the Reebok Stadium after failing to get the first-team football he wants at West Brom.
Dougie Freedman has had the former England Under-21 international at the top of his defensive shortlist for several weeks but has had to bide his time while new Baggies boss Pepe Mel was installed. Now, the defender has intimated to the Whites he is ready to come out on loan for a second spell and wants to get the deal done.
Dawson played 16 games for Wanderers last season and helped transform their fortunes before returning to the Midlands after a 1-1 draw with today’s FA Cup opponents Cardiff City.
During his stay Freedman’s side won 10, drew three and lost only three – missing out on the play-offs by a whisker. The 23-year-old had hoped to use that as a springboard to regular Premier League football and had been rated highly by former Hawthorns boss Steve Clarke.
But even under the Scot a run in the side never materialised and he featured just once in the league, alongside three appearances in the cup.
The signing of experienced Uruguayan Diego Lugano dropped him further down the pecking order and it is understood the Baggies will soon be willing to do business.
The only stumbling block at present is a short-term injury to Gareth McCauley, which could mean Freedman will have to wait until the loan window re-opens to land his man.
Several Championship clubs have enquired about Dawson’s availability but the former Radcliffe Borough star has his sights set on a return to the North West if a deal can be financed.
Freedman has just one week to bolster his squad with permanent deals and hopes to have at least two new names by the end of next week.
He is known to have looked at a number of triallists and believes that recruitment is the only way to lift the club out of its current funk.
“Stats don’t lie,” he told The Bolton News. “When we have loaned players in they have helped the squad. Our win percentage goes up to 45 per cent.
“It seems to be something that lifts the lads – and those numbers tell you that three or four loans would help the team.”
Dougie Freedman has had the former England Under-21 international at the top of his defensive shortlist for several weeks but has had to bide his time while new Baggies boss Pepe Mel was installed. Now, the defender has intimated to the Whites he is ready to come out on loan for a second spell and wants to get the deal done.
Dawson played 16 games for Wanderers last season and helped transform their fortunes before returning to the Midlands after a 1-1 draw with today’s FA Cup opponents Cardiff City.
During his stay Freedman’s side won 10, drew three and lost only three – missing out on the play-offs by a whisker. The 23-year-old had hoped to use that as a springboard to regular Premier League football and had been rated highly by former Hawthorns boss Steve Clarke.
But even under the Scot a run in the side never materialised and he featured just once in the league, alongside three appearances in the cup.
The signing of experienced Uruguayan Diego Lugano dropped him further down the pecking order and it is understood the Baggies will soon be willing to do business.
The only stumbling block at present is a short-term injury to Gareth McCauley, which could mean Freedman will have to wait until the loan window re-opens to land his man.
Several Championship clubs have enquired about Dawson’s availability but the former Radcliffe Borough star has his sights set on a return to the North West if a deal can be financed.
Freedman has just one week to bolster his squad with permanent deals and hopes to have at least two new names by the end of next week.
He is known to have looked at a number of triallists and believes that recruitment is the only way to lift the club out of its current funk.
“Stats don’t lie,” he told The Bolton News. “When we have loaned players in they have helped the squad. Our win percentage goes up to 45 per cent.
“It seems to be something that lifts the lads – and those numbers tell you that three or four loans would help the team.”
