WANDERERS have taken the shock decision to release Oscar Threlkeld and Niall Maher in a massive clear-out of 21 players this summer.

The young defenders broke into the first team reckoning under Jimmy Phillips at the end of the season and had been heavily tipped to feature in League One.

A one-year contract extension had been discussed but The Bolton News understands Wanderers have had a change of heart in the last week which leaves them heading towards the exit door with the likes of David Wheater, Emile Heskey, Neil Danns, Stephen Dobbie, Hayden White, Liam Feeney, Rob Hall and Paul Rachubka.

Two more highly-rated youngsters, goalkeeper Harry Campbell and striker Jamie Thomas, have also been told they will not get a professional deal next season.

Both had featured on the bench in the last few months and Thomas, who has Wales Under-21 experience, boasted an enviable scoring record at youth level.

Wanderers are working hard to get their wage bill under control but the announcement of their retained list yesterday shows the true scale of the operation.

Tyler Garratt was the only youth team graduate offered a one-year professional deal but development squad regulars Tom Eaves, Jordan Lussey, Ross Fitzsimons, Quade Taylor, Harry Campbell, Jon Ceberio, Channing Campbell-Young, Jamie Thomas, Yvan Wassi and Chris Cvetko have also been axed.

Wellington Silva returns to Arsenal after his loan spell.

Meanwhile, Chris Wilder confirmed there had been interest from Wanderers, Charlton and “a couple of Championship clubs” as he was unveiled as Sheffield United boss yesterday.

Asked about interest from the North West, and namely Bolton and Blackburn Rovers, the former Northampton Town boss said: “There has been (interest) and I'd rather it be that way. You don't get it when you're not winning games of football.

“It has to be that my remit is to win games of football that hopefully excites and pleases everybody.”