Phil Parkinson has the tough task on his hands of preparing his Bolton Wanderers team for life in the Championship, as finances at the club are currently intensely tight for the Trotters.

The team finished second in League One last season behind toppers Sheffield United, earning themselves an instant return to the second-tier following relegation in 2016.

One acquisition that Parkinson must make early on in the summer transfer window is goalkeeper Connor Ripley, who has just gone back to Middlesbrough having enjoyed the 2016/17 campaign on loan at Oldham Athletic.

The 24-year-old earned himself proud reviews in the division for the small number of efforts he allowed to go past him, despite the Latics being in a dog-fight at the wrong end of the table for the majority of the year.

Ripley conceded just 44 goals in 46 matches for Oldham, which in fact was the fourth-best record in the division - behind Bradford City, Fleetwood Town and, incidentally, Bolton Wanderers.

It is clear that the Trotters' defence is already quite strong, however, the ex-England under-19 international would be a prominent figure behind the defenders, and considering the club will be in a more competitive league next season they should want as strong a back-line as realistically possible.

Connor Ripley only has one-year left of his contract on Teeside, so the manager could be able to snatch his signature on the cheap, which would benefit Bolton massively in their current financial climate.

The only thing that may block a transfer to the Macron Stadium is that his employer, Middlesbrough, have lost two of their top 'keepers already and may want to keep this star possession amongst the squad.

Bolton Wanderers fans, do you need a new goalkeeper? Does Phil Parkinson have the resources to strengthen? Let us hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!