Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has admitted to the Manchester Evening News that the club need quite a bit of maintenance as the January transfer window draws closer. 

Not only have the Trotters seen their former captain Antoni Sarcevic depart for National League Stockport County, but now they will have to do without the services of Josh Sheehan, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will put him out for the rest of the season.

Add to the fact that Wanderers are also without the likes of Amadou Bakayoko, Gethin Jones and Andrew Tutte and it is fair to say that Evatt's options are very thin on the ground at the time of writing.

Speaking after their weekend defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, the Bolton boss was quick to discuss the upcoming window:

"We have for quite a few weeks now been speaking about January and we know there is quite a bit of maintenance which needs to be done.

"But it needs to be the right type and we can't panic buy.

"Last season we had to recruit heavily and we got it right. Now we're hoping to get it right again."

The result at the weekend sees the Trotters sat in 13th place of the Sky Bet League One standings, meaning that there is a lot of work to do if the club wants to be in with a shout of the play-offs this term.

Wanderers are back in action tomorrow night as they play host to Doncaster Rovers at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The Verdict 

Midfield is the clear and obvious area that needs strengthening at present, whilst there could be an argument made for more defenders being brought in after recent injuries.

Eoin Doyle also continues to have fitness issues, which means that Evatt may want to bring in another striker when the new year comes around.

Signing players in January is easier said than done of course and it may well be the case that Bolton have to look at loans and free agents.

One things for sure, they need to add a lot more depth to what is an extremely thin squad right now.