Bolton Wanderers: Fresh Charlton Athletic transfer won't be a Steven Schumacher 'priority' - he will be 'disappointed' | OneFootball

FLW's Bolton Wanderers fan pundit has given his verdict on whether the club will pursue a permanent deal for Charlton Athletic loanee Rob Apter.

It is fair to say that it has been a mixed season for Bolton Wanderers in League One.

Bolton began the season as one of the title favourites in the third tier, but they have struggled to live up to that billing throughout the campaign, with a frustrating total of 16 draws preventing Steven Schumacher's men from seriously challenging Lincoln City and Cardiff City for an automatic promotion spot.

However, the Trotters all but secured their place in the play-offs after an emphatic 5-1 victory over sixth-placed Stevenage at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Tuesday night, with Amario Cozier-Duberry's double and goals from Johnny Kenny, Ruben Rodrigues and Mason Burstow sealing an important three points.

Wanderers supporters will have been delighted by their side's midweek display, but they may be wondering why they have not seen such performances more regularly this season, and one player who has underwhelmed since arriving in Lancashire is winger Rob Apter.

Apter scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 50 appearances for Blackpool last season to earn him a move to the Championship with Charlton Athletic in the summer in a deal worth more than £2 million, but he struggled to establish himself at The Valley before being loaned out to Bolton in January.

Despite being back at a level where he previously thrived, Apter has not fared much better for the Trotters, failing to score in 13 appearances so far and registering just one assist, and he has lost his place in the team in recent games after Cozier-Duberry's return from injury.

Bolton Wanderers told not to pursue permanent deal for Charlton Athletic loanee Rob Apter

When asked if the club should sign Apter permanently this summer, FLW's Bolton Wanderers fan pundit Liam O'Meara admitted that the 22-year-old has done enough during his loan spell to merit a full-time move to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, particularly given the fee that would likely be needed to land his signature.

"I don't think that will be a priority for Bolton," Liam told FLW.

"I think Apter is a good player.

"He's shown glimpses at times of the quality he had at Blackpool, but I think even he would be disappointed with how it's gone overall.

"He didn't necessarily capture his opportunity when Amario Cozier-Duberry was out injured.

"Now Cozier-Duberry's back, I think his chances are going to be limited.

"So, I would be surprised if Bolton were interested in a permanent deal, given that Charlton signed him for around £2 million in the summer.

"I don't think he's a bad player, I just don't think this loan has worked out.

"I think if Charlton are looking to recoup money, it's likely that he will be sent on loan to another League One club next season, but I don't think that will be us."

Bolton Wanderers must plan for life after Amario Cozier-Duberry amid Rob Apter struggles

With Apter failing to fill Cozier-Duberry's shoes during his recent injury absence, it further underlined the challenge Bolton will face in having to replace the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee this summer.

Cozier-Duberry has scored nine goals and registered nine assists in 35 games during a stunning loan spell with the Trotters, and even promotion to the Championship may not be enough to help secure his return next season, with the winger likely to have plenty of interest from higher levels.

Having failed to score the number of goals that would be expected of their attacking talent this season, adding more creativity to the team will be a priority for Wanderers when the window opens, but Apter is unlikely to be a long-term solution.