Bolton Wanderers assistant manager David Flitcroft has opened up on the club's January transfer plans and revealed that work is well underway ahead of an important winter window. 

It will take a phenomenal second half of the season if Bolton are to ensure League One survival in the 2019/20 campaign.

After starting the season with a 12-point deduction, Keith Hill's side have two points after 17 games and are 15 points adrift of safety–though they do have at least two games in hand over the majority of the sides above them.

Financial issues saw their squad decimated over the summer and though they were able to add some reinforcements via the free agent and loan market following the Football Ventures takeover, it remains thin and they're reliant on teenagers as cover.

The January transfer window provides the Trotters with a vital opportunity to strengthen ahead of a massive second half of the season.

Speaking to the Bolton News, Flitcroft revealed that work was well underway to ensure that it was an effective window for his side.

He said: "It’s a movable feast. It really does depend on what happens–you can think you have someone over the line and then a Championship clubs swoops in.

“At the minute the players we want tell us they want to come but it’s such a complex market in January.

“You can have a target but it can change quickly because of an injury or a suspension. People prioritise and we could get two injuries between now and then–so our way of thinking changes.

“But over the last four weeks, we have been working on it, trying to capture all the details possible.

“We have met with agents, met with players and we’ll continue to speak with them, working around the clock to make sure a plan is in place.”

Bolton welcome Southend United to the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday, in a bottom-of-the-table clash that looks a fantastic opportunity for the hosts to grab three points.

Think you know Bolton? Take our 2014/15 quiz to test yourself!

The Verdict

Flitcroft's comments will likely be music to the ears of Bolton fans, who will know that an effective transfer window will be key to their side's chances of survival.

In addition to making new signings, the Trotters will need to ensure they can extend the loan deals of some key players.

Amongst those are captain Liam Bridcutt and Josh Earl, two loanees from Championship clubs whose deals are set to expire in January.