Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt doesn't feel the arrival of Josh Sheehan this summer has reduced the importance of fellow midfielder Kieran Lee.
Sheehan was snapped up from Newport County and has been a regular in the starting XI for Wanderers, scoring three goals in eight matches.
Lee, who signed for Bolton back in January, played 20 times last season and has had seven runouts so far this campaign.
Only one of those has been a start in the league, with two further starts coming in cup games against Barnsley and Wigan Athletic.
Evatt has competition for places in the middle of the park, but insists the 33-year-old still has a crucial part to play this year.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers injury list and return dates as one player ruled out of Rotherham clash
"I wouldn’t say Josh has taken his place," said the Wanderers boss.
"Kieran has had an interrupted pre-season with injuries, knocks and niggles.
"We hadn’t managed to get him 100 per cent fit, but he is there now.
"And as you saw (against Burton Albion), when he plays, he is a top player at this level.
“We think a lot of him and he is going to be a big player for us come the end of the season."
Meanwhile, Bolton have sold a magnificent 18,000+ tickets for this weekend's home match against Rotherham United.
