WANDERERS have strengthened their backroom staff with the appointment of former Stoke City and Sunderland coach Paul Walsh.

The 35-year-old, who worked with Northern Ireland during Euro 2016 and is currently involved at Under-21 level with the Republic of Ireland, comes to Bolton as the new head of sports science.

Ian Evatt believes the appointment is a big step forward for the club.

“Paul is a very experienced strength and conditioning coach who has worked with some big clubs like Sunderland, with international teams, so having his expertise and level of detail to help improve the players physically is fantastic for us,” he told The Bolton News.

“All the things we are investing in, it doesn’t just cover the players, it is also what is around them which can make us better. 

“Making sure we have got the right coaching environment has been really important and the board have been fantastic with that.

"The club has come a long way in the last few years."

Walsh graduated from the University of Limerick and went on to gain employment with GPS player tracking and analysis specialist Statsports. During his time with the company he worked closely with Palermo in Italy, plus rugby union sides like Waikato Chiefs in New Zealand, plus Lenster and Ulster back home in Northern Ireland.

He also played in the League of Ireland for Waterford, Limerick and Dundalk.

Wanderers are also very close to naming their new B Team manager, having promoted Matt Craddock to the position of first team coach at the end of last year.

“It is virtually done,” Evatt said. “Prior to the first team coaching role there were some applicants that we felt would be suited to that role. One of those has taken the job and I think it is just a notice period which is being served at the moment.

“We are there, and we expect him to be in place quite soon.”