KEITH Hill has not given up hope of bringing Liam Bridcutt back to the University of Bolton Stadium.

The midfielder has returned to parent club Nottingham Forest following the expiration of his loan deal and does so with ringing endorsements from Hill and David Flitcroft, despite only playing 12 times in an injury-hit first half of the season.

Hill admitted ahead of today’s trip to Rochdale that Wanderers are looking to have the 30-year-old back at Bolton, though he accepts competition for his services will be stiff.

Peterborough are thought to be keeping tabs on Bridcutt but would want any loan agreement to come with a clause giving them first refusal on a permanent deal in the summer.

“Liam has gone back to Nottingham Forest,” Hill told The Bolton News. “All the loan players we had have gone back.

“Liam has gone back with his hamstring injury after the Burton game and his future will be assessed by Liam Bridcutt.

“He’s come in and done really well for us when he’s been available to play, he was outstanding in every department, whether he was in central defence or central midfield.

“He’s a calibre-A football player that you do want to retain but because of the exposure that we’ve given him and the success that he’s had here he has got other football clubs chasing him. I would like to bring him back though.

“Looking at Jack Hobbs, Liam and Ali Crawford, they are key components missing on a regular basis and I do believe if we had those three players fit and consistently available I think some of our draws would have been turned into wins.

“Sat back and reflecting, to get 18 points from 16 games is not good enough, but it is a minor miracle.”

Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed they have agreed a deal to bring Ipswich centre-back Toto Nsiala in on loan until the end of the season. Hill’s options in the centre of defence had been limited following the departures of loanees Josh Earl and Jake Wright and a loan move for the Congolese international was announced yesterday evening, with the 27-year-old expected to go straight into the squad to face Rochdale this afternoon.

“I think he needs game time,” said Ipswich manager Paul Lambert. “He’s not high in confidence at the minute. He gives you everything but he’s just having a bit of a hard time.”