Bolton's preparations for their drop into League One next season have been given a much needed piece of good news, after the club announced that they have taken up the option of a third year on the scholarship of Luca Connell.

Despite making just ten league appearances this season, the 18-year-old midfielder has impressed in what has been an otherwise dismal campaign for The Trotters, with his form even earning him a call up to the Republic of Ireland squad for their two Euro 2020 qualifiers next month.

His performances had also attracted the attention of a number of Premier League sides, with The Sun recently reporting that Premier League sides Tottenham; Everton and Wolves, as well as newly promoted Norwich, are all interested in Connell.

Despite that, Bolton have strengthened their position around Connell, after they announced that they had extended his scholarship deal with the club by a further year, keeping him at The University of Bolton Stadium for the coming League One campaign.

As well as Connell, the club have also taken up similar options on Ronan Darcy, Jordan Boon and Eddie Brown.

Darcy also made his debut for the first team this season, coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the final day 1-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest.

The verdict

You don't often get to see positive news coming out of Bolton these days, so this will be a welcome update for fans of the club.

Connell has been one of the few bright sparks for Wanderers this season, and you feel he could really get the chance to shine in League One for The Trotters now, assuming they don't elect to cash in on him, which may not be a bad move in the circumstances.

Either way, this news gives some promise for the future for Bolton, be it in terms of what they can do in League One next season, or moving into a position to receive a much welcome transfer fee for Connell.