Eaves staying put

ATHLETIC have no immediate plans to lure back Bolton striker Tom Eaves to Boundary Park.

The lanky hitman departed for the Reebok Stadium last summer for an undisclosed fee plus a sell-on clause.

With manager Paul Dickov firmly in the hunt for more firepower, a plethora of names — including Eaves — have been linked with the club.

But chief executive Alan Hardy insisted a return is not currently on the cards, and believes his club may want to hold onto him.

“I haven’t heard anything about Tom Eaves coming back,” he said. “He performed very well for Bolton’s reserve team in the second half of last season so he is making a good impression there now.”

Supporters are waiting with bated breath after Athletic told them to expect several new signings this week, with Dickov focused on the spine of the team — a central defender, midfielder and striker.

A regular goalscorer would appear to be the most pressing matter.

Of the current crop of forwards, Warren Feeney failed to score a league goal last term, Reuben Reid struggled for match fitness and Matt Smith is an unknown quantity in npower League One, having arrived from Blue Square Bet North side Solihull Moors.