Bolton Wanderers manager Keith Hill has admitted that some of his key players may still leave the club before the transfer deadline shuts.

The troubles at Bolton this season have been no secret as they nearly ceased to exist in the EFL at the start of the season. However, a takeover and nine summer deadline day signings later and the club managed to get back to some semblance of a League One outfit.

The 12-point deduction that the club received hasn’t helped their battle to stay in League One this season as they currently sit on a mere eight points.

There have been some standout performers so far for the Wanderers this season, with Thibaud Verlinden’s efforts already seeing him recalled by his parent club, Stoke City. 

However, boss Keith Hill has conceded that there may be more outgoings before tomorrow night’s deadline. Speaking to The Bolton News, Hill had this to say on the current state of affairs with transfers out of the club. He stated: “I will be looking to keep the majority of the squad I have got but I know I could still lose some key players because it’s an open window.”

There has been growing interest in 19-year-old Ronan Darcy, who is very highly-rated by the club but is yet to be tied down to a professional contract yet and could be lured away from the University of Bolton Stadium.

In terms of incomings, Hill added this: “It’s a difficult month to recruit in at the best of times but especially in the position we’re in, the embargo, it’s twice as difficult.

“But we will work as hard as we possibly can, go back to the list and see what options we have.”

It was also revealed that Bolton missed out on two of their top transfer targets earlier in the week.

Do you know what these ex-Bolton players are doing now?

The verdict

The harsh reality of Bolton’s current plight is that their hands are more or less tied when it comes to letting talented players leave in the transfer window.

Ronan Darcy is clearly a very talented player and losing him would be a massive blow to their long-term prospects but a move away would be too tempting, especially with the stability that can be offered by other sides.

The transfers into the club will always be very difficult to pull off with their current embargo but alternative players will become available before the deadline shuts tomorrow night.

Bolton’s on-pitch fate looks ultimately sealed in League One this season but they can at least turn their attention to making signings that are more long-term, after the takeover.