Bolton Wanderers are still targeting reinforcements in the goalkeeper department after Matt Gilks was handed a new deal, Ian Evatt has confirmed.
The 39-year-old has put pen to paper on a fresh one-year deal at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The veteran former Blackpool, Rangers and Scotland stopper initially arrived at Wanderers last summer as the goalkeeper coach as well as registering as a player.
He made his debut in between the sticks for the club during the televised victory against Salford City at the University of Bolton Stadium in November and went on to keep 16 clean sheets as he helped Wanderers to achieve automatic promotion to League One, making 35 appearances in that time.
The new deal for Gilks means Wanderers have both the veteran and Matthew Alexander as recognised goalkeepers on the books at present.
And Evatt has confirmed that another goalkeeper is being sought in the transfer market this summer, as he praised his former Blackpool team mate for his efforts in a Bolton shirt so far.
He said: “We need someone who is ready to play and has played, and that is what we are looking for.
"We have one or two options highlighted but whoever we bring in will be able to step straight in and be able to play to a similar standard to Matt.
“He was brilliant when he came in, I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“We have a strong personal relationship and I just said to Paul walking over here that I find it difficult to praise him – I don’t know why, and he moans at me all the time about that. But he knows how much I appreciate him and what he has done.
“He had a small knee operation at the end of the season that was basically a clean up and that went really well. The surgeon was really pleased with the state of his knees, so that was a positive for him, especially if he is playing a full season next season.
“Everyone can hear the organisation that he gives the team but we must not forget what a fantastic goalkeeper he still is and what qualities he has – he commands his box, makes good saves, why wouldn’t we want him to play on?"
