Bolton Wanderers ready for more business in January transfer window

Ian Evatt has confirmed that he has “one or two” more players he wishes to sign, including centre-back cover to replace Will Aimson, who completed a move to Exeter City on Friday night.

Bolton moved on to 50 points for the season with a 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon, with goals coming from Aaron Morley and Dion Charles.

The club has already brought in Randell Williams, Shola Shoretire, Cameron Jerome and Victor Adeboyejo this month but Evatt is determined not to leave himself short.

“We need a little bit of work,” he told The Bolton News. “What we have done so far has been really good.

“All the players we have sold, we he bought on free transfers, and I have said before that player trading is a big part of what we want to do. It is a big part of football for any club looking to progress.

“We have done that smartly, strategically, and we will continue to do that.

“I think we need one or two areas strengthened for squad position for than anything else. We will be actively looking over the next few days to complete that now.”

Aimson’s departure for Exeter was not pre-planned but after getting the offer of a two-and-a-half year contract in Devon, the 29-year-old defender met with Evatt late last week to ask for permission to leave.

George Johnston had to be substituted at half time on Saturday with an ankle injury, and should he require any great length of time to recover it could present Evatt with a problem.

“We are a centre-back light, all of a sudden,” he said. “We are delighted that Declan is back and looking like he is enjoying his football again, and we hope that George hasn’t done any major damage – we’ll have to keep an eye on that because that obviously changes things for us.

“We think the world of George, he is a very good young player. Hopefully the knock he took is not a bad one.

“But overall we are delighted with the work we have done and the squad we have got so far.”

Victory against Charlton was Bolton’s fourth in six games and brought them to within four points of third-placed Ipswich Town – albeit the Tractor Boys also have a game in hand.

Evatt’s side had 24 shots at goal – eight on target – and in his own view, could have won the game by a bigger margin.

“Even when they scored I had a good feeling – I looked out and the players were saying ‘calm down’ they were ready to reset again. And that takes a strong mindset and mentality,” he said.

“That is improving with this group all the time and results like the one against Forest Green on Tuesday night will really help that.

“When we put it together, like we did at times there, we are a really good team. I do think we need to start putting teams to the sword more – and I genuinely think we could have scored five or six.”