What can Bolton Wanderers expect on transfer deadline day?

Ian Evatt might have to invest in a new goalkeeper if the results of a scan on Joel Coleman’s calf put him out for longer than expected.

The former Huddersfield Town stopper is currently facing six weeks on the side-lines and though Bolton have recalled youngster Luke Hutchinson from a loan spell with non-league Hyde United to buy themselves some time, the lack of a senior option could yet be a problem they have to address.

Evatt seems content with the options in the rest of his squad – but has left the prospect of more deals dangling in the air.

“You never say never,” he told the local press on Thursday afternoon, before adding: “You start getting phone calls from agents offering players who were way out of your price range before. It can be quite entertaining.”

There is definitely a strong chance that Kieran Sadlier, Declan John – or both – could be leaving for pastures new.

Leyton Orient have retained an interest in Sadlier after his successful loan there last season but other clubs are understood to be involved too.

John’s future remains more of a mystery but the Welsh wing-back looks unlikely to break back into Evatt’s plans, with Randell Williams and Zac Ashworth ahead of him in the queue as things stand.

Seven games into the new season, we assess how the new recruits have done so far and what we can expect them to contribute to Wanderers’ promotion chase.

Nathan Baxter – An injury-time goal from Fleetwood denied him a hat-trick of clean sheets in his first three starts, and then came the poor result against Wigan.

Baxter has reacted impressively, was solid at Burton and made a breath-taking stop in the second half against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.

There is scope for improvement in possession and you can see he is still settling into Ian Evatt’s grand plan, but the talent is clearly there.

Joel Coleman – Struck down by an injury in only his second start, and one can only hope that does not keep him out of action for too long.

Coleman kept League Two Barrow out in his first game and played well against Boro before being forced off at half time.

Wanderers are now having to consider a replacement, which is not the ideal situation.

Josh Dacres-Cogley – Few would have foreseen Dacres-Cogley coming to Bolton and nailing down the wing-back slot quite so quickly, but the former Birmingham City man has made the position his own early on.

The lack of direct cover is a concern for some but JDC’s athleticism and use of the ball out wide has caught the eye. Looking a real find.

Dan Nlundulu – Wanderers put their hand in their pocket to bring the striker back from Southampton on a permanent basis, encouraged no doubt by a few flashes of quality towards the end of last season. In truth, Nlundulu has not yet had his ‘moment’ since coming back to the fold and still has something to prove in the eyes of the supporters.

Crucially, however, he has the faith of manager Evatt.

Will Forrester – Injuries have pushed the former Port Vale man to the front of the queue ahead of schedule, and since replacing Ricardo Santos in the second half at Burton, he has not let anyone down.

Forrester has shown he can handle the ball in his cup appearances and that he could be a threat at set pieces. Still just 22, he is learning the ropes, but his ability to play in any of the three defensive positions could come in handy.

Carlos Mendes Gomes – Given a first start against Boro as a secondary striker to Dion Charles, the former Luton Town man put in his most convincing performance to date.

He had been used primarily as a replacement midfielder to that point, and in common with many of Bolton’s substitutes this season has struggled to really affect the game.

Gomes has an eye for goal and Wanderers certainly need more from the middle of the park if they are going to challenge.

Paris Maghoma – Has produced a few highlights which hint at the talent Bolton have loaned from Brentford. Whether he has taken full advantage when starting games is up for debate.

Maghoma looks capable of carrying the ball and in spells he has posed a real attacking threat. The key now is sustaining it over 90 minutes and making sure that off-the-ball work is done too.

Zac Ashworth – Got off the mark with a goal in the Carabao Cup and showed up well against Boro on Tuesday night too. Looks like he is being viewed as a challenger to Randell Williams on the left rather than a holding midfielder or a centre-half but his past record at West Brom suggests he is versatile and can play in a few different positions.

The onus is on the youngster to show Bolton he is worth a permanent investment at the end of the season but he has done little wrong to date.