Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers still have recruitment work to do to make the squad strong enough to compete in the Championship, according to boss Steven Schumacher.

Bolton are preparing for a first second-tier campaign in seven years after winning the League One play-off final against Stockport in May with Schumacher hoping his own experiences of managing at that level will help them adjust.

"Having the experience helps because it was a bit of a surprise when I first went up with Plymouth Argyle and how physical, how quick, how competitive every game is," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"We've set our sights on trying to make us a team who are dynamic and can go and compete at this level so we've got a bit of work to do from a recruitment point of view, but we also feel the lads in the squad from last year, a lot of them are capable of making the step up."

Bolton are intensifying their preparations this week with a pre-season training trip to Slovakia which will culminate with a game against local side DAC 1904 on Friday.

"I liked the venue we used in Marbella last year but it wasn't available for the date we wanted to go on," added Schumacher.

"Around February or March, this opportunity came about in Slovakia. Portsmouth went there last year and I asked their manager John Mousinho about it and he gave me the lowdown - it ticks the boxes with good facilities and will hopefully be a bit cooler than the south of Spain will be."

Bolton start the new Championship season at home to Preston North End on Saturday 15 August (12:30 BST).

Listen to more Bolton Wanderers interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

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Bolton Wanderers have appointed Rob Kelly as their assistant manager who will once again work alongside boss Steven Schumacher.

The highly-experienced Kelly, 61, worked with Schumacher at Bury and together they won promotion for the Shakers from League Two in 2019.

Kelly also had spells in charge of Leicester City and Barrow and was assistant to a number of managers, including Steve McClaren, Alan Irvine, Uwe Rosler and, most recently, Leam Richardson at Reading.

Schumacher claims he will bring great knowledge to his coaching set-up at Bolton, following their promotion to the Championship.

"Rob is somebody I've known and respected in coaching for a long time now and he has been a huge part of my coaching journey," he told the Bolton club website.

Bolton are keen on Canadian striker Theo Bair, 26, who plays for French club Auxerre. (FootballInsider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Bolton Wanderers are interested in taking Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle on loan. The 21-year-old Englishman spent last season on loan with Birmingham City in the Championship. (Pete O'Rourke), external

You can find more of Friday's EFL gossip here.

Bolton and Sheffield United have joined Portsmouth in the race to sign Plymouth Argyle striker Bim Pepple. The 23-year-old scored 18 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for Argyle last season. (The News), external

You can find more of Tuesday's EFL gossip here.

Bolton Wanderers are close to sealing 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson's signature in a deal worth around £700,000 for the Englishman. (Liverpool Echo), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday gossip column here.

The EFL fixture list is out and we know you are bursting to know what you've got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.

Here are some key dates to put in your diary:

• 15 August 2026 - Preston North End (H)

• 22 August 2026 - Queens Park Rangers (A)

• 5 December 2026 - Blackburn Rovers (H)

• 26 December 2026 - Burnley (H)

• 1 January 2027 - Wrexham (A)

• 6 March 2027 - Preston North End (A)

• 17 March 2027 - Blackburn Rovers (A)

• 20 March 2027 - Burnley (A)

• 1 May 2027 - West Bromwich Albion (A)

See Bolton Wanderers' full fixture list here.

Bolton Wanderers are open to offers for midfielder Joel Randall, 26, and defender Richard Taylor, 25, with neither Englishman likely to feature regularly in the side's upcoming Championship campaign. (Bolton News), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

The EFL will reveal its fixture list for the 2026-27 season on Thursday.

Want to know who your team will face on opening day? The fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that is not all.

The draws for the group stage of the Vertu Trophy and the first round of the Carabao Cup will also take place.

So check back on 25 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.

Bolton Wanderers are in advanced talks to sign the versatile Luca Stephenson from Liverpool after the 22-year-old spent the past two seasons on loan at Dundee United. (Football Insider), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Monday's full gossip column here.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry faces a crossroads in his career this summer after a successful loan spell at Bolton.

The 21-year-old was nominated for the EFL and PFA Player of the Season awards and was named in the team of the season as Bolton earned promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.

With two years remaining on his contract, discussions have already begun over his long-term future.

There is a possibility the former Arsenal player, who joined Brighton in 2024, could remain at the Amex Stadium on a new deal, stay under his current terms, or leave on a permanent transfer. However, it remains early in the process.

Brighton are expected to have more opportunities to offer minutes to players next season with Conference League involvement, which could allow him to take on a cup role and feature initially as an impact substitute in the Premier League.

Yet, there remains a chance he could leave permanently. His loan spell — in which he recorded nine goals and 13 assists in 37 League One appearances — has attracted interest from clubs in England and abroad.

There is much to resolve for Cozier-Duberry as he hits a crossroads in his development this summer. He is an ambitious player but one at a club that is always active in the transfer market.

Image source, Getty Images

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