WANDERERS have strongly played down suggestion that Chris Markham could be heading back to his former club Huddersfield Town.

Reports at the weekend claimed that Markham – Bolton’s Technical Performance Director – is being lined-up as the new Director of Football at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Stoke City’s Technical Director Mark Cartwright has also been mentioned as a possible target for the Terriers, who are on the verge of a takeover by American businessman Kevin M Nagle.

Markham worked with Huddersfield for seven years, moving on to a role within the English Football Association where he played a key role in assisting Gareth Southgate’s England team at the 2018 World Cup. Huddersfield were promoted to the Premier League just a few months after he joined up with the FA.

He landed at Bolton in February 2021 charged with creating an “elite and innovative performance culture” at the UniBol. An overhaul of analysis, sports science and recruitment staff followed, and Markham’s work has been roundly praised as the club climbed out of League Two, established themselves in the division above, and then pushed into the play-off positions this season.

Wanderers do not expect an approach and remain confident Markham will continue in his role, working in tandem with first team manager Ian Evatt.

Meanwhile, the Bolton boss says his players should get more credit for their recent form, having lost key men like Ricardo Santos, Eoin Toal and Luke Mbete in recent weeks.

The Whites, who also had George Johnston out for a spell with an ankle injury, continue to boast one of League One’s meanest defensive records.

“It is testament to he players that we’re still in this position because I don’t think many teams in this division could lose what we have and still got results,” he said.

“Sheffield Wednesday have had a wobble and lost two. We lost four in one position, and still got clean sheets. That has to be celebrated.”

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