Ian Evatt believes George Thomason has a 'great opportunity' to stake a claim for a long-term place in the Bolton Wanderers team owing to the club's injury problems in the engine room after admitting his lack of game time so far this season has stunted the youngster's development.
Thomason played 25 times for Wanderers last season in all competitions and became a first choice selection for Evatt as Bolton won promotion to League One.
This campaign, games have been harder to come by for the 20-year-old due to a central midfield department which was stocked with talent and experience at the start of the season.
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However, injuries have taken their toll and ruled out the likes of MJ Williams, Josh Sheehan and Andrew Tutte, while Antoni Sarcevic and Brandon Comley have both departed the club.
It means the only fully fit recognised first team midfielders at present are Kieran Lee and Thomason, who are poised to start in the engine room tomorrow evening against Doncaster Rovers.
Evatt admits the lack of playing time earlier this season has temporarily stunted the youngster's development, but believes he now has a chance alongside Lee to impress.
Evatt is a massive fan of the midfielder, and even gave him perhaps the biggest compliment he could that if his young daughter was at the same age as Thomason, he would happily take him home to meet her!
The Bolton boss said: "George wants it and needs it and deserves it. He’s a young player.
"Last season ended very well for him, he had great success and had to be patient earlier on this season, which has kind of stunted his development.
"But now he’s got a great opportunity to get a run in the team playing alongside a fantastic footballer in Kieran Lee, who he’s learning from all the time.
"We’re working with George all the time and I have no problem or issue with trusting him with that responsibility. I think he’s a fantastic young man and a fantastic young player.
"I can’t speak highly enough of George. As I said he’s a wonderful young man and a wonderful footballer.
"The best thing I can probably say is if my daughter was at the right age, I’d be more than happy to take George home to her – that’s probably the highest accolade I could give to George."
