Steven Schumacher can fire Bolton Wanderers to the Championship - one thing must stay the same though | OneFootball

Amario Cozier-Duberry has been in sensational form since joining on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion

Bolton Wanderers head coach Steven Schumacher has a genuine chance of firing the Trotters to Championship promotion this season, but keeping Amario Cozier-Duberry fit and firing will go a long way towards doing so.

The 20-year-old winger has been nothing short of sensational since joining Bolton on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, contributing to three goals and two assists across 11 games.

His directness and eye for goal have made him an instant favourite at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, but the Lancashire club's reliance on Cozier-Duberry’s brilliance might only be short-term.

Sheffield United have reportedly stepped up their interest in the Brighton loanee, with The Argus revealing that Blades have sent their recruitment chief Jamie Hoyland to watch him in action.

Amario Cozier-Duberry is becoming a Bolton Wanderers star for Steven Schumacher

Schumacher's faith in Cozier-Duberry has been repaid spectacularly. The former Arsenal academy prospect scored his first league goal for the club against AFC Wimbledon, one week before scoring a stunning 94th-minute equaliser against Leyton Orient.

His ability to create something from nothing has seen opposition teams double up on him during matches, a testament to his growing reputation in the division.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Schumacher said, "Amario has got great quality, we know that, but if people want to double and triple up marking him then it leaves space on the other side of the pitch."

So, there's no doubt that what Cozier-Duberry provides in this manner has been crucial to Bolton's improved attacking threat under their head coach - because he allows the likes of Thierry Gale to play with freedom.

Schumacher went on to mention in the aforementioned interview how Barbados international Gale was the “most dangerous player” on the pitch against Leyton Orient.

Sheffield United interest in Amario Cozier-Duberry poses unwanted January threat

Sheffield United’s aforementioned interest is somewhat of a threat to Bolton's promotion hopes, particularly given their higher league status - even if the Yorkshire side are bottom after eight games played.

Given the winger's disappointing Championship experience with Blackburn Rovers last season, he might want to prove any doubters wrong.

Similar to his Wanderers transfer, Cozier-Duberry joined Rovers on loan, but he only started six league games and scored one goal - making the majority of his 22 second-tier appearances from the bench.

Brighton are understood to have a recall option in January as well, and former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has already exclusively suggested to FLW that Cozier-Duberry would suit Chris Wilder's Sheffield United, so the Seagulls' hierarchy might feel the same.

Bolton Wanderers could finally be on their way back to the Championship under Steven Schumacher's guidance

The summer rebuild under Schumacher brought 14 new players to Greater Manchester, but perhaps none have made the immediate impact of Cozier-Duberry.

His performances have certainly improved the entire team, providing the unpredictability that Schumacher's system demands, "We knew we'd signed a good player on loan because we'd done our homework on him," Schumacher said.

"We had got character references from people who had worked with him at Blackburn last season who said that coming down to this level, where he might get more space and perhaps not come up against as many physical full-backs and wing-backs, would mean he could really shine," Schumacher added.

So, if the winger stays in-form, Bolton's promotion credentials are becoming increasingly apparent under Schumacher's guidance. Yes, the club currently sits in 11th place, but the manager knows that keeping his best players fit and at the club ultimately brings success. In an interview with Sky Sports, Schumacher admitted that "There is no hiding from the expectation at the club."

So, it may be that keeping Cozier-Duberry beyond the winter break could help with this expectation. Although if they were to lose him to Sheffield United, it could potentially derail their promotion campaign entirely, as the youngster’s form suggests his confidence is growing alongside his goal tally.