'Huge player' - Ex-Manchester United youngster's importance to Bolton Wanderers highlighted

Ian Evatt admits Bolton Wanderers will need to be 'slightly cautious' with veteran midfielder Kieran Lee after his return to action from injury but believes the former Manchester United youngster is a 'huge player' for the Whites.

The 34-year-old came through the youth team ranks at United and made three apperances for the Old Trafford club, scoring once for the club in the League Cup against Crewe Alexandra.

Lee later moved on to Oldham Athletic, before spending eight years at Hillsborough with Sheffield Wednesday. He was released by the Owls in the summer of 2020 and has been at Wanderers since January 2021.

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Lee has gone on to score seven goals in 51 games for the Whites and has become a key player for Evatt's side. He started last weekend's League One opener versus Ipswich Town.

He had last been in competitive action for the club in February due to injury. However, the influential midfielder is now back in action for the University of Bolton Stadium club.

Evatt hailed the importance Lee has to Bolton, both in and out of possession as he pointed to the midfielder's intelligence. Though he admits Wanderers must manage his game time owing to his age and recent return from injury, but Evatt is pleased to have Lee back available again.

Evatt said: “Kieran is a big player for us. He is super intelligent, not just with the ball and in possession but without it. The way he triggers presses and moves out of possession is excellent.

"He is a good player and we have missed him. But we also have to be slightly cautious with him. He missed a lot of football and old Father Time isn’t being the kindest to him at the