WANDERERS have turned to B Team coach Matt Craddock to temporarily fill the void which will be left by Sam Hird’s departure tomorrow.

Applications for the first team coach role are still being accepted by Bolton, who have agreed to part ways with Hird to allow him to take up a job with the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Craddock has been in charge of Bolton’s second string since May 2022 and will be considered for the position on a full-time basis. Ian Evatt has also confirmed that there has been a high level of interest in joining his coaching team with applicants from right across the UK.

There is no current timeframe on when the club expect to make an appointment and with Dave Gardiner stepping briefly into Craddock’s role in the B Team there is scope for Evatt and the Bolton board to consider all options.

Hird had become an important member of Wanderers’ backroom, having arrived at the club from Barrow in the summer of 2021 after promotion to League One.

Evatt says the process of replacing him will not be straightforward.

“They have to fit into our culture and the way we do things,” he told The Bolton News.

“The way we are, the way we act as a football club is, I believe, unique.

“It is a special opportunity and a special role for someone to step into.

“We have had a lot of CVs being put forward already, a lot of phone calls going in to all members of staff, including myself. But I have to make it very clear, this is a process. This can’t just be about me picking someone I know, I need the best person for the job and the best person for the club, moving forwards. It also has to be the best person for the players and finding that might take some time.

“In the meantime, Matt Craddock will step up. He has shadowed Sam and looked at his role, then we will go through the process of finding what we think will be the best replacement. Matt is included in that as well.

“I don’t think it will be a fast process. We want to take our time and make sure we are thorough with our diligence on appointing the right one.”

Five Wanderers players will be on international duty this week, with Eoin Toal and Dion Charles leaving to play for Northern Ireland in Euro qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia.

Josh Sheehan hopes to add to his tally of caps for Wales in a friendly against Gibraltar followed by a qualifier at home to Croatia.

Zac Ashworth will be on duty for Wales Under-21s as they face a friendly against Leichtenstein and a Euro U21 Championship qualifier against Lithuania.

And Conor Carty, who is currently away on loan with St Patrick’s, will be in action for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s against Latvia.