Bolton Wanderers have been dealt a major setback before a ball is even kicked, with new signing Sam Dalby likely to miss the start of the season through injury.
Steven Schumacher, now tasked with spearheading a promotion push in League One, has confirmed that two new forwards are still on the shopping list — but he won’t be rushed into a panic buy.
The absence of Dalby leaves the Wanderers light up top. Having sold last season’s top scorer Aaron Collins and left out Dan Nlundulu and Klaidi Lolos to seek moves elsewhere, Schumacher’s squad is suddenly lacking senior firepower. That could turn reported interest in Celtic striker Johnny Kenny from speculation into urgency.
However, any attempt to secure Kenny on a permanent basis may prove complicated. Brendan Rodgers is reportedly reluctant to make a quick decision, with Scottish sources claiming Celtic are only open to a loan at this stage. A rejected £500,000 bid has already been mentioned, but Bolton may now be tempted to revisit with fresh terms — or pivot to new targets entirely.
Schumacher’s measured approach remains. He told The Bolton News:
“We need to make sure we get our business done right and go for the same profile of striker that I wanted all along. We won’t just rush and bring in anybody because we’ve had an injury… We want to try and bring in people who we think are going to make the team better.”
That’s a bold stance with the season opener against Stockport County only weeks away and limited forward options available.
Exits Depend on Arrivals
The manager also suggested that future exits — beyond Nlundulu and Lolos — are contingent on who comes in. With both Will Forrester and Dalby on the injury list, Schumacher doesn’t want to leave himself short.
Still, he’s conscious of numbers and stressed that only those who can improve the squad will be brought in. If Bolton do become overstocked in certain areas as the window progresses, further departures will naturally follow.
Supporters may be concerned by the pace of incoming deals, especially with their attacking unit far from complete. But behind the scenes, it appears that Schumacher and sporting director Fergal Harkin are working methodically, balancing patience with precision.
Writer’s View
The timing of Dalby’s injury couldn’t be worse for Bolton Wanderers, and it exposes just how thin their squad is in attack. Selling Collins and sidelining other forwards made sense if replacements were ready, but without them, the squad looks worryingly bare.
Schumacher’s call for calm is admirable — this is no time for desperation — but fans will rightly expect at least one forward through the door in the next week or two. Johnny Kenny could be an exciting option, but if Celtic dig in, Wanderers may need to cast the net wider and faster. In a promotion-chasing season, the cost of standing still could be high.
