Tranmere Rovers are set to do battle with crisis-club Bolton Wanderers over a loan deal for defender Josh Earl, as reported by Alan Nixon.
Alex Neill is ready to let the 20-year-old defender go out on loan, with both League One clubs eager to add him to their ranks. Bolton, currently in the grip of a takeover and many pundits pick for relegation, are hoping to add him to their depleted ranks as they look to overturn a 12-point deficit.
Mickey Mellon’s Tranmere have a very different route by which they’ve come to League One, winning successive promotions after three years out of the Football League. They’re hoping to establish as a third tier side and want to take Earl as part of that goal.
The Southport-born defender has made 28 starts for the Lilywhites since breaking through into the first team, with 16 outings in all competitions last season. It would be his first Football League loan, having spent time with Lancaster City as a teenager.
He signed his first professional contract in April 2017 and is highly rated at Deepdale.
Our View
Last season Tranmere loaned Sid Nelson from Millwall and he impressed in a handful of games; they’re a side who manage loan players very well. They will be hoping to feature in the middle of the table this season at least and Earl certainly has the promise to help them do that.
As for Bolton, bigger club but much worse conditions. He might be guaranteed regular football there though, given their current lack of first team players. If they sort their issues out, they could be a half-decent draw for players this coming campaign.
