Andrew Tutte on Bolton Wanderers player-coaching role, Brighton figure's help & injury frustration

Andrew Tutte says he is enjoying his new player-coaching role at Bolton Wanderers in the B team set-up and is looking forward to helping to push young players along to contend for a place in Ian Evatt's side.

The 31-year-old was not offered a fresh playing deal with the first team at Wanderers following the end of last season, having made just one appearance in the entire campaign due to various injuries. That came in the Papa John's Trophy against Port Vale.

The previous season, Tutte played 20 times and earned a new one-year contract with the club last summer. The former Manchester City trainee was not offered a fresh deal this summer by Ian Evatt's side for the first team and could have become a free agent able to move to other clubs.

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But he has stayed on at Wanderers and become a player-coach in the club's new B team, which is managed by Matt Craddock. He started the side's first ever game last night in the narrow 1-0 pre-season loss to Atherton Collieries.

But the player - who suffered hamstring and calf problems which kept him out of action for the bulk of last season - is enjoying his new role. He feels it was a natural progression and an opportunity he could not turn down.

He said: It’s different getting used to coaching but I am enjoying it. (I’ve been doing it) for the last three weeks now and am enjoying every single minute of it.

"I was out for seven months last year and then obviously I sat down with the gaffer and the first-team staff. They gave me the opportunity and it was one of those that I couldn’t turn down. It is a good opportunity for me to still play and keep fit while even though I am