Bolton Wanderers have confirmed that defenders Jake Wright and Josh Earl have both returned to their parent clubs following the expiration of their loan deals with the League One side.

Earl joined from on loan from Championship outfit Preston North End at the start of August, and went onto make 11 appearances in all competitions during an injury-hit spell with Wanderers.

Wright meanwhile, was one of a number of players to make a temporary move to the University of Bolton Stadium on the final day of the summer transfer window, when he made the temporary move from newly-promoted Premier League side Sheffield United.

The 33-year-old centre back went onto 12 appearances in total for Keith Hill's side, as they look to complete an unlikely great escape in the battle against relegation from League One this season.

Both however have now seen their time at the club come to an end, and will consequentially return to their respective parent clubs.

With Bolton having been handed a 12-point deduction at the start of the season for entering administration earlier in the year, the pair leave the club still bottom of the third-tier standings with a tally of seven points, which means they are still 17 adrift of safety.

The Verdict

This looks to be a big blow for Bolton.

Both Wright and Earl have been useful assets for the club since their temporary moves to Bolton, helping to give them some glimmer of hope that they could yet survive in League One this season.

Not only is that ability something Wanderers have now lost, but the pressure is now also one them to go out and find replacements for the pair over the coming weeks, while still working in the difficult financial situation they find themselves in at the minute.

It will be interesting to see if that is something they are able to succeed this season, and it could be crucial to those ambitions going forward that they are able to do that.