Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt says he is hoping to have good news on the club's pursuit of left-back Declan John this week.

John spent the second-half of last season on loan with Bolton from Swansea City, making 21 appearances and scoring twice to help Wanderers win promotion from League Two.

The 25-year-old is now a free agent having been released by Swansea following the end of his contract at The Liberty Stadium this summer, and Bolton are seemingly keen on a reunion with the defender.

Now it seems as though Evatt is indeed confident of bringing John back to the club for next season.

Providing an update on the situation surrounding the left-back, Evatt was quoted by The Manchester Evening News as saying: “There is a willingness from both parties to make the deal happen.

"The deal isn’t quite there yet but we’re confident we can do it and hopeful that Dec enjoyed his time and wants to come back and enjoy some more time. Fingers crossed there will be some good news on that front this week."

Indeed, it seems Evatt is hopeful that Bolton's promotion can help the club's efforts to agree a deal, as he added: “The bonus for us is that we’re now a League One club, that’s huge, and in this division we are still a big club. That goes for us.

“Dec has obviously felt and seen a lot of love from the supporters and that is important, to go somewhere they are wanted, and feel wanted, feel appreciated.

“He lost his way for a couple of years at Swansea but wanted to enjoy his football again. We gave him the platform and hopefully that will be enough to get him back next season."

The Verdict 

This certainly seems to be a promising update from a Bolton perspective.

John did seem to have a big influence in helping Wanderers win promotion during the second-half of last season, so you can understand why they would be keen to bring him back for next season.

The fact that the club have won promotion should help them to do that, given the appeal of playing at a higher level, while the fact that John did seem to enjoy his time at Bolton also seems to play into their hands.

Indeed, with Bolton having already made moves in the transfer market - including with the return of another loanee from last season in Dapo Afolayan - it does seem as though the club have reasons to be confident about getting this deal for John over the line.