GAVIN McCann will not be offered a new contract as Owen Coyle plans a summer shake-up at the Reebok.
The Wanderers midfielder’s season has been blighted by a serious knee injury and has not played since January 20.
Coyle is planning a major overhaul after Bolton guaranteed their Premier League survival at the weekend. Nicky Hunt, Andy O’Brien, Danny Shittu and Mustapha Riga are all deemed surplus to requirements and free to leave.
But the Bolton manager will have his work cut out reshaping the squad as all his current first-team players, with the exception of McCann, still under contract at the club next season. Coyle is desperate to offload several players to free up wages so he can bring his own personnel in during the close season.
McCann’s injury means he is one of those being shown the door – but he will be given the chance to earn a new deal.
The 32-year-old midfielder, signed by Sammy Lee from Aston Villa for £2.25million in June 2007, came off the substitutes’ bench for both of Coyle’s first two games in charge before being sidelined with a long-standing ankle problem.
And the Wanderers boss is prepared to hand McCann a one-month trial to prove his worth once he is fully fit.
“I have spoken to Gavin and said because of the nature of that injury I am not in the position to offer him a new contract,” said Coyle.
“What I will do, and in fairness to him he’s been a very good player and a great lad, is when he is fit I’ll give him an opportunity, it might be a month, to go and earn one.”
He added: “We’re not in an ideal position because I’ve only got one player out of contract and there will be some players surplus to requirments.
“I want my own type of players in and add my own flavour.”
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