Bolton set to win chase for former Barnsley, Plymouth and Mansfield defender

Bolton Wanderers are close to securing a deal for former Everton youngster Gethin Jones, as reported by Football Insider.

The Australia-born 24-year-old is currently without a club after his one year deal at Carlisle United expired at the end of last season, and would be available to Ian Evatt’s side on a free transfer.

The full-back began his career with Everton but only played in one senior game for the club, instead getting senior experience out on loan. He spent time with Plymouth Argyle and Barnsley before joining Fleetwood Town on a permanent deal in January 2018. He struggled to impose himself on the Cod Army first team and was soon out on loan again, this time with Mansfield Town.

He made 19 appearances for the Stags, but on his return to Fleetwood found himself released. He joined Carlisle United last summer, for whom he made 30 outings. Jones has also been capped by Wales up to Under 21 level, but hasn’t managed to make the step up since emerging as a senior player.

The Trotters have already been busy this summer, with Liam Gordon, Brandon Comley, Antoni Sarcevic, Matt Gilks, Eoin Doyle, Ricardo Santos and George Taft all joining permanently. They also secured two loan deals, Billy Crellin joining yesterday from Fleetwood, whilst Tom White comes in from Blackburn.

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Our View

Jones stood out for me at Mansfield and although a few Stags fans might disagree, his inclination to get up and down the line added real energy to their ultimately futile bid for promotion during his spell there.

Carlisle fans seemed to rate him too, plus he is a good age to be getting senior experience at Bolton. He seems to us to be the sort of player who could, given a run of games in a successful side, be sold on if he rises to the challenge.

Of course, Bolton won’t want that specifically, they want to get out of the basement division at the first attempt and signing a player with experience of the level makes sense. This could be a good move all around.