KEITH Hill is adamant that Wanderers will not be “victims” regardless of the outcome of the EFL’s disciplinary verdict.

An independent panel met yesterday afternoon to decide whether Bolton would face punishment for failing to fulfil fixtures against Brentford in April and Doncaster Rovers in August.

Several clubs in Leagues One and Two are pushing for Wanderers to be handed a six-point deduction for each game, which would push them back to minus 15 points – a massive 30 from safety.

Wanderers put a written case to the panel yesterday, concentrating specifically on “welfare concerns” that were raised in the build-up to the Doncaster game over the cluster of Under-18s players who were being asked to turn out in the early season, with the club still in administration.

As The Bolton News went to press no official verdict had been reached but Hill said that even in the worst case scenario, his players would not be allowed to mope.

“You have to deal with setbacks in life, football or otherwise,” he said. “Whatever the judgement is, we’ll have to deal with it. We can’t become a victim.

“I won’t allow myself, my staff or the players to be a victim.

“I believe in fighting for a better future, a better outcome, fighting for your rights but we also paid up to be members of the EFL and will have to pay respect to whatever judgement they make on BWFC.”

Hill has got his side to within touching distance of positive points after starting on minus 12. If the total is further diminished, he insists the battle is still winnable.

“It just becomes harder,” he said. “It doesn’t become undone, it has been done.

“We set ourselves a target and we’re still on course to meet it. My mindset won’t change.

“I won’t allow anyone in my football family to be a victim of circumstance. We’re fighters, someone who overcomes. I surround myself with people with those values.”

The EFL confirmed last night: “An independent Disciplinary Commission has met today to hear the charges brought against Bolton Wanderers in respect to the non-fulfilment of fixtures against Brentford and Doncaster Rovers. The panel is currently considering the representations made by the parties and an update will be provided once a determination has been made.”