Bolton Wanderers manager Keith Hill says he is confident that 19-year-old midfielder Ronan Darcy will sign a new contract with the club.

Darcy was one of the youth players called up to the first-team in the absence of a number of senior options at the start of the season, and has gone on to establish himself as a regular in Hill's side, making a total of 20 appearances in all competitions this season scoring twice.

Those performances have apparently led to interest in Darcy from a number of clubs further up the footballing pyramid, although it seems Bolton themselves are optimistic they will be able to convince the teenager to sign his first senior contract with the club.

Speaking to the Bolton News about those negotiations with Darcy, Hill said: “I think it’s ongoing and being dealt with by Simon Marland (club secretary) and the powers that be – but as a manager I would love him to commit."

Discussing whether he thinks Darcy will ultimately make that commitment to the Trotters, Hill added: “Am I confident? Yes. I am always confident in players putting their trust in us and Ronan is a young player we can help guide.”

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Despite their precarious position at the bottom of the League One standings this season, Bolton have already been able to secure a new deal for one of their promising young first-team players this season, with 19-year-old Dennis Politic putting pen to paper on a deal with the club until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

The Verdict

This will be a big boost for Bolton if they are able to seal the deal.

Darcy certainly has plenty of potential to exploit, and the ability he has already shown suggests he could certainly be an asset for Wanderers whatever level they are playing at next season.

Indeed, if they are able to secure this deal amidst that interest from elsewhere, this will also feel like an indicator of the steps forward Bolton are taking as a club again, after what has been a difficult past few seasons for those at the club.

Considering the first-team opportunities he is enjoying at Bolton, and the development and experience that has - and would continue to - provide him with, you feel signing a new deal with the club may not be a bad idea for Darcy either.