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Wanderers have been forced into a defensive re-think after Greg Halford’s loan move from Nottingham Forest collapsed yesterday.
Dougie Freedman had been poised to bring in the experienced defender as cover for the injured Kevin McNaughton – who will be missing for a fortnight – ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
But his plans were thrown into turmoil when it emerged Halford had picked up an injury in training, forcing the move to be shelved.
A replacement could not be found, which leaves the Whites without any experienced cover at right-back, and could mean Hayden White plays against his former club for the first time since quitting Hillsborough last summer.
The teenage defender played 90 minutes in recent defeats against Brighton and Leeds but Freedman was keen to bring in the 6ft 4ins Halford to combat the Owls’ physical attack.
With Joe Riley on loan at Oxford United, Wanderers’ other option is academy graduate, Oscar Threlkeld, whose only first-team football this season has been in the Capital One Cup.
Threlkeld made his Bolton debut against Wednesday in a 3-1 win at Hillsborough in April, albeit in much less pressured circumstances than those he could face at the Macron tomorrow.
Dorian Dervite has also played some football at right-back but would potentially be a gamble with the stakes so high.
Without a win in their first five games, Wanderers have already been cast three points adrift in the bottom three.
And with memories of last season’s dreadful 10-game winless run weighing heavy on their mind, fans are demanding improvement.
Freedman still wants attacking options, although it looks unlikely he will sign anyone in time to feature against Rotherham United on Tuesday.
Source
Dougie Freedman had been poised to bring in the experienced defender as cover for the injured Kevin McNaughton – who will be missing for a fortnight – ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
But his plans were thrown into turmoil when it emerged Halford had picked up an injury in training, forcing the move to be shelved.
A replacement could not be found, which leaves the Whites without any experienced cover at right-back, and could mean Hayden White plays against his former club for the first time since quitting Hillsborough last summer.
The teenage defender played 90 minutes in recent defeats against Brighton and Leeds but Freedman was keen to bring in the 6ft 4ins Halford to combat the Owls’ physical attack.
With Joe Riley on loan at Oxford United, Wanderers’ other option is academy graduate, Oscar Threlkeld, whose only first-team football this season has been in the Capital One Cup.
Threlkeld made his Bolton debut against Wednesday in a 3-1 win at Hillsborough in April, albeit in much less pressured circumstances than those he could face at the Macron tomorrow.
Dorian Dervite has also played some football at right-back but would potentially be a gamble with the stakes so high.
Without a win in their first five games, Wanderers have already been cast three points adrift in the bottom three.
And with memories of last season’s dreadful 10-game winless run weighing heavy on their mind, fans are demanding improvement.
Freedman still wants attacking options, although it looks unlikely he will sign anyone in time to feature against Rotherham United on Tuesday.
Source
