Ian Evatt says Wanderers’ recruitment strategy is “night and day” from his first few months at the club.

Last week, Szabolcs Schon became the Whites’ first foray into the European market under Evatt’s leadership.

The club has been working with Ludonautics since the turn of the year to open up more possibilities on the transfer front and are now starting to reap the rewards.

“You look for milestones in our journey and part of that journey is recruitment and the platforms we have built behind the scenes to enable us to recruit from different markets,” Evatt told BBC Radio Manchester.

“When I took over at this football club, for six months I was the head coach and didn’t really have much say in recruitment.

“That changed prior to that (first) January to make me the manager. We put together a plan in terms of what we wanted our performance and recruitment structure to look like behind the scenes.

“We brought in Chris Markham to head that up and from that day to where we are now is night and day.

“We have many people as part of that department, I believe we have an intelligent way of doing things – using data, analysis, video and our relationship with Ludonautics to give us the best possible opportunity to sign the best players we can afford at this moment in time.”

Markham has played a key role in Wanderers' recruitment evolutionMarkham has played a key role in Wanderers' recruitment (Image: CameraSport - Andrew Kearns)

Schon made his first appearance in a Bolton shirt against Port Vale over the weekend as Wanderers wrapped up pre-season with a comfortable victory.

“He’s a lad who has played international football and played against England in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley,” Evatt continued.

“I believe he was the best player in his team in Hungary and he has played in Europe. He came through the Academy at Ajax and has a brilliant foundation and career behind him so far.

“To attract that type of player for us is definitely something we should be proud of.”

The Bolton boss is still looking to get further deals done before the end of the window and has been backed with an increased budget this summer.

When asked if that backing led to higher pressure to get results on the pitch, Evatt replied: “In any other season it would but we have got a couple of anomalies this season.

“Birmingham are spending money like I have never seen before in League One and obviously Wrexham, with the power of their investment and what is happening there behind the scenes.

“Ordinarily, having this extra money available and spending more would probably highlight what we are doing even more.

“But because of those anomalies for this division, I think we are flying under the radar and I quite like that.”

Dundee captain Luke McCowan is the latest player to be linked with a move to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Reports north of the border claim the Whites have had a bid knocked back for the 26-year-old, along with Hibernian.

McCowan scored 10 goals in 41 matches last term as Dundee finished sixth in the Scottish Premiership. He has had a strong start to the current campaign, tucking away a penalty in the derby against Dundee United over the weekend.

The midfielder was quizzed about his Dundee future after the final whistle at Tannadice Park. He told The Courier: “I am a Dundee player as it is.

“There has been nothing that has been put on my plate that is going to make me leave here anytime soon. I am the captain here and I need to take responsibility in each game.”