IAN Evatt, one of the managers most strongly linked with the vacant role at Bolton Wanderers says he is trying to keep his own focus on Barrow.

The 38-year-old, who has led the South Cumbrian side back into the Football League for the first time since 1972, is one of the bookmakers’ favourites to succeed Keith Hill in the Whites’ hotseat.

Evatt has received huge praise for not only the success but the style of play at Holker Street this season – and his achievements have not gone unnoticed at Wanderers.

Asked by the Barrow Mail about the speculation, Evatt claimed he was trying to soak up the satisfaction of promotion for now. “At the end of the day, as it stands I’m Barrow’s manager and I’m just enjoying the time here now and what we’ve just achieved,” he said. “I’m not really thinking about anything else at the moment.

“It’s the nature of the beast that when a club has success and when people are envious about what we’ve done and how we’ve done it then you’re best players and your manager are going to be linked elsewhere.”

Another figure who has been persistently linked with the post has been Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe, pictured below.

The former Bury chief has won promotion from League Two in successive seasons and is another name understood to be in consideration at Bolton.

The rumours have been played down at Home Park, however, with Argyle chief executive Andrew Parkinson telling Plymouth Live: “We don’t comment on speculation but what I would say is that Ryan is fully committed to Plymouth Argyle and looking forward to the beginning of next season.”

The Bolton News: Ryan Lowe