Ian Evatt delivers verdict on releasing eight Bolton Wanderers players as decisions made

Ian Evatt has thanked those leaving Bolton Wanderers for their efforts at the club and wished them well for the future after contributions to get the club moving in the right direction.

Wanderers finished ninth in the third tier of English football after a successful campaign following promotion out of League Two in the 2020/21 season.

Ian Evatt's side ended up 10 points from the play-offs after reaching a tally of 73 and have their sights set on reducing that gap to the play-off spots over the summer. Wanderers are seeking to challenge for the top six at the least next campaign.

READ MORE:Bolton Wanderers confirm eight players released & Xavier Amaechi decision made

And with the season now at a conclusion, the club has confirmed that six first team players will not been handed fresh deals and will leave the club this summer, following Evatt having talks with his squad yesterday.

These include veteran defender Alex Baptiste and fellow defensive duo Liam Edwards and Reiss Greenidge, full-back Liam Gordon, midfielder Andrew Tutte and attacker Nathan Delfouneso.

Adam Senior has been offered a fresh contract to remain with his boyhood club, while youngsters Finlay Lockett and Luke Hutchinson have also had options on their deals taken up to keep them at Wanderers.

Young goalkeeper Matty Alexander and teenage striker Jay Fitzmartin have also been released, meaning eight players in total will be leaving Wanderers this summer.

Xavier Amaechi, meanwhile, will not be returning to the club after his season-long loan from Hamburg came to a conclusion.

Evatt has now spoken on the decisions made and admits the calls are 'never nice' ones to make, but the club is moving forwards.

He admits some players have made bigger contributions