Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has dismissed claims that Marcus Maddison missed the club's recent 1-0 win over Barrow because he overslept.

Maddison, who joined the League Two promotion chasers on loan from Charlton Athletic back in the January transfer window, was absent from the matchday squad as the Trotters beat Barrow thanks to an injury time strike from Shaun Miller on the 27th February.

Recent reports had claimed that Maddison missed the game after oversleeping, which meant he missed a pre-match team meeting at 1:30pm on the day of the game, although Evatt is adamant that that is not the case.

Speaking about those claims ahead of his side's clash with Cambridge on Tuesday night, Evatt told the Manchester Evening News: "It's a non-story. Marcus was ill, simple as that.

"I can't tell you any more than that. I can only tell you what happened. It's a non-story, he wasn't well, simple as that."

Since joining Bolton earlier this year, Maddison has made six appearances for the club, and has yet to score or provide an assist, while he was sent off in a 1-1 draw with Morecambe on debut, although that red card was later rescinded.

Bolton are currently seventh in the League Two table, six points off the play-off places with 13 games left of their regular season remaining.

The Verdict

In fairness, this was probably the only response Evatt could give to a question such as this.

It would be hard for the Bolton manager to simply confirm those rumours, which would somewhat throw Maddison under the bus and provide his side with an unnecessary distraction in the promotion race.

Of course, it is also worth noting that there is no reason not to believe what Evatt is saying here anyway, since he is closer to this situation than anyone else.

Even so, it is probably fair to say that Maddison hasn't had the impact that those associated with Bolton would have hoped for since his move to the club regardless of this, so there is still pressure on him to make an impression between now and the end of the season.