IAN Evatt reckons he can still tune up his “Rolls Royce” defender Ricardo Santos.

Speaking after Saturday’s 2-1 win against Shrewsbury, the Wanderers boss highlighted areas of his centre-back’s game that can still improve and push him on to play at a higher level.

Santos was instrumental in last season’s promotion and has settled well since returning to League One, where he last played with Peterborough United.

But Evatt believes the 26-year-old can still add more after becoming such an integral part of his own team.

“It’s strange to see a player with that many attributes,” he said. “He’s a Rolls Royce. He is quick, he’s strong, he’s good in the air, he can play with the ball and he’s improving with the ball all the time and he can defend. We’re very lucky to have him, but we still feel there’s improvement there.

“I still feel he can develop more as a leader and as a voice.

“Rico is such a lovely man, a fantastic man, a great man. Quiet and well spoken, softly spoken, and when he speaks, people listen, and we need to develop him into that kind of leadership role.”

Wanderers’ fans showed their appreciation for his performance against Shrewsbury and Evatt agrees his centre-half looks to be enjoying himself at Bolton, in what has become a competitive defensive unit.

“I want him to play with confidence. I want them all to play with confidence because we have to be confident with the way we play and how brave we are with the ball,” he said.

“But he’s imperious when he’s in that type of form and George similar was fantastic again. Alex has done great whenever we’ve called upon him and we’ve got Will returning to fitness, so we’re blessed with some good players. We feel like we’ve got a good squad.”

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