Bolton have stormed back into the top ten in League One, having gone on a four match unbeaten run until a loss to Burton in midweek.

The side have looked solid and have even seen off the likes of Oxford, who themselves are battling higher up the table for a potential play-off spot. Wanderers though have more than held their own and have begun eye a top half finish.

One key player for them this year has been Kieran Lee who, despite being 33-years-old, has proven that he is still a superb player at this level. With ten goal contributions in 25 league games despite being a midfielder, he is proving to be one of the best in his position in the division.

However, he managed just 20 minutes in Bolton's game against the U's, wasn't involved against Burton and missed out on a place in the team for their win over Charlton.

This could be down to an injury he has been carrying with him and whilst he has been able to play through the pain barrier previously - and do well no less - it may finally be too much for him to bare. Ian Evatt though has told The Bolton News he is 'hopeful' there is a way he can continue to fight on but is prepared for the eventuality that he can't.

Instead, Lee may have to sit out of action and undergo surgery to repair it - and that could leave him sidelined for a while.

Speaking to The Bolton News about the player, Evatt said: "He's had this for months now, for three months, and it’s got progressively harder to deal with. We’re hopeful that there is some pain controlling methods that we can use but until we speak to the specialist, we don’t know.

"We’re going to literally leave it in the specialist’s hands – he knows best. And it’s a question of if he can get through to the summer."

The Verdict

Kieran Lee has been a highly influential player for Bolton this year, producing the goods in attack and defence despite his age and position.

To lose him now, when a bit of a resurgence looks on the cards for the club, would be a huge blow. At the end of the day though, the side are unlikely to book themselves a play-off spot and in the long-run they will want Lee at his best to help them kick on next year.

Rather than aggravate his injury now then, it might be best to allow him to go and get the proper treatment that he needs and find a suitable replacement in the interim. That could allow him to fully recover and come out firing again next season.

That on its own could help Bolton continue to fight at the top end of the division next year, rather than them potentially doing further damage to one of their best players.