IAN Evatt is confident Wanderers have pulled off a good deal in landing Luton’s Peter Kioso on loan.

The right-back was high up on Bolton’s shopping list in the summer but has only just been made available by Nathan Jones at Kenilworth Road.

At the same time, Evatt was forced into the loan market to find cover for the injured Gethin Jones.

The happy coincidence has given the Whites boss a chance to work with a 21-year-old flyer who has been given good reviews over the last 12 months since swapping the National League with Hartlepool for Championship football.

“Peter was a player I wanted in the summer and was chasing but he wasn’t available because he was involved with Luton in the Championship,” Evatt told The Bolton News.

“Things in football can change quickly and with Gethin’s unfortunate injury and Luton surviving in the Championship, it kind of changed Peter’s situation a little bit.

“He’s a fantastic young player who I have admired for a long time and we’re lucky to have him.”

Born in Dublin to Congolese parents, Kioso started at MK Dons but after being released in the professional game he built up his reputation again at Dunstable before being picked up by Hartlepool in 2018.

“To our supporters and some others Peter Kioso won’t be a household name, however, when you do some digging you’ll see he has been involved at a good level of football,” Evatt said.

“He played against that very strong Manchester United team in the EFL Cup and was exceptional on the day. They bought him from Hartlepool, who played against my Barrow team, and I admired what he brought to the team. He’s been on my radar for a bit now and we’re delighted we have managed to get it done.”

Evatt had voiced concern about picking up free agents at this time of year and having to guide them to full fitness but Kioso arrives in top condition and will go straight into the squad to face Oldham Athletic.

“Well he got man of the match against United a few weeks ago, so he’s not doing to badly,” Evatt said. “He’s been involved in the Championship squads this season and has played minutes, so he’s definitely ready to go.

“He trained with us yesterday and was exceptional. I was really pleased with what I saw.”

Wanderers go into the final day of the transfer window today not ruling out further business.

“Never say never,” Evatt said. “I’m no Harry Redknapp. You never shut the door.

“I think once we get everyone back fit and healthy I think we have got a really good squad.

“I think we’re just starting to see signs of progression. The concerns early on were in defence because we were conceding silly goals but we have made progress on that now and we’re maybe needing to concentrate on the other side of the pitch.

“Once we put the two together I think we’ll fly up the table but we’ve taken four points from two games. Two points a game, on average, will get you the title.

“We have ground to make up. We have to keep pushing but I believe in this group and that it will improve as the season goes on.”