Ian Evatt has explained what Jak Hickman needs to do to become a regular starter for Bolton Wanderers this season.
The 21-year-old joined the Trotters over the summer and penned a one-year deal at the University of Bolton Stadium.
He was released by former club Coventry City before being snapped up as one of Evatt's summer signings at Wanderers.
Hickman was handed his Wanderers competitive debut in the EFL Trophy against Crewe Alexandra and impressed in the right wing-back role.
Gethin Jones started the Carabao Cup defeat against Bradford City last weekend, and also came on for the youngster against the Railwaymen.
Explaining what Hickman needs to do to play a full 90 minutes, Evatt pointed to the example of Jones in the wing-back slot and how the youngster needs to become fitter.
He said: "Hicky, he’s a talent and he has a fantastic ability to put balls in difficult areas for defenders to defend. He is one of the ones Ithink which fitness-wise, he’s not quite there yet and he needs to be fitter.
"If you look at Gethin, how fit he is and how strong he is, he can sustain that for 90 minutes, when Hicky gets to that level, he’s going to be a really good player for us and a big player for us.
"Tonight helps and I thought he was very good.
"For me, it’s just being able to sustain that energy and what we’re asking him to do for 90 minutes.
"It’s a difficult job, that wing-back job for us. You have to attack and you have to defend and you have to run constantly at high speed for 90 minutes.
"He can’t quite do that yet, but when he can, he’s going to be a top player.”
