Steven Schumacher must return to Stoke City in bid to solve massive Bolton Wanderers issue | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers need a new goalscorer following the departure of Aaron Collins, and for Steven Schumacher a raid on a former club could be perfect.

Bolton Wanderers have lost two-thirds of their three main goal threats since January, but for manager Steven Schumacher a return to one of his former clubs could provide an answer.

Following a disappointing 2024-25 season which saw them finish ten points short of a place in the League One play-offs, the Trotters have work to do this summer.

Manager Steven Schumacher was appointed at the end of January to replace Ian Evatt and had half a season to become familiar with his first-team squad, and now that contracts are starting to expire and sales are being made, it could be time to make changes - particularly up-front.

Aaron Collins sale means Bolton Wanderers need attacking reinforcements ASAPBoltonrelied heavily on an attacking pairing of John McAtee and Aaron Collins for goals last season, especially throughout the second half of the season followingthe sale of Dion Charles to Huddersfield for a reported £750,000in the January transfer window, two weeks before Schumacher's arrival.

And with the departure of Collins to ambitious League Two outfit MK Dons earlier this summer, it seems certain that further changes to their attacking options will be necessary.

The departure of Aaron Collins earlier this summer may have been something of a surprise to Bolton supporters. After all, he'd ended the 2024-25 season as their top scorer.

But Schumacher made it clear at the time of the sale that Collins' departure was on the club's terms, telling the Bolton News: "We received an offer from MK Dons that we believe represents fair value for the player and which allows us to accelerate our recruitment plans.

"This decision is a key part of our wider strategy, which is focused on building a team with the specific attributes required to drive standards and achieve our ambition."

A Stoke City connection could persuade Nathan Lowe to head for Bolton Wanderers if Steven Schumacher makes a move

But one young player at one of Schumacher's former clubs could provide an answer.

Schumacher will be plenty familiar with Nathan Lowe, who he played seven times in the second half of the 2023-24 Championship season to see how much of an impact he could make.

Not long before his unexpected sacking at the bet365 Stadium though, Schumacher sent Lowe out on loan to Walsall of League Two, where he would make a remarkable impact further down the M6.

He scored 18 goals in 30 games for the club before being recalled by Stoke in January, but his return to the Potteries wasn't especially successful.

After scoring on his return against West Bromwich Albion in January, Lowe only ended up making nine further appearances for the Potters throughout the second half of last season and didn't score again, but his sensational form for Walsall throughout the first half of the season has meant that the rumour-mill hasn't stopped turning this summer.

It has been reported that Huddersfield were interested in him and could pay up to £2.5 million for his services. That hasn't come to pass, and the connection between Schumacher and Lowe could make heading to Bolton a possibility - perhaps on loan though given he could still have a future in the Championship.

Since Lowe is still only 19 years old, Stoke could be persuaded to give him another year out on loan to further finesse his play, and Bolton would be an ideal place to do so.

Following the departures of Dion Charles and Aaron Collins, they need an attacking focal point to play alongside McAtee, and Lowe could fit that bill.

It could prove to be a mutually advantageous move. Bolton would get the target man they are lacking, and Stoke could get the player back with a greater value, should he come good at Bolton, and Lowe himself would get the opportunity for more game-time and at a higher level than last season.

A win-win for all parties involved if it were to happen therefore - Schumacher just has to make his move now before it's too late.