IAN Evatt considers it his own personal challenge to get the best out of new loan signing Marcus Maddison.

The exciting winger, brought in on deadline day from Charlton Athletic, could make his debut at Salford City on Saturday.

The eye-catching addition has caused a stir at the UniBol but had been enduring a career lull at Charlton, where a more direct brand of football and a difficult relationship with manager Lee Bowyer left him largely on the fringes of the side.

Evatt is confident he can get the 27-year-old firing again at Bolton.

“He should be a good fit for us,” said the Bolton boss. “And it’s my job to showcase him and play to his strengths. It is what we want to do.

“He has come here to show his potential and what he’s really about. If we can get him switched on and enjoying his football, which is what we want, then he can be an excellent player for us – not only will he score goals but he’ll create them for others as well.”

Maddison’s career highlights reel makes for spectacular viewing, particularly in a six-year spell at Peterborough United where he managed 62 goals in 249 games.

The last 12 months has not been as successful, however, and since leaving London Road for a loan spell at Hull City in July 2020, Maddison has started just eight league games.

It is hoped his talents can shine at Wanderers, a side in desperate need of some inspiration after their own problems on the pitch this season.

Evatt is confident the Bolton fans will quickly take to Maddison, whose surprise arrival was one of the big talking points of transfer deadline day.

“I said I might have something up my sleeve,” smiled the manager. “And Marcus is an extremely talented boy.

“He’s suffered from a lack of game time and whatever happened to him at Charlton but this is an opportunity for him to come and play for a huge club.

“The fans will love him because he is a maverick. And this is a big stage. He’s the type of player who will excel on the big stage, he’ll excel under the pressure and he wants to feel the love from the supporters. I am sure he’ll be a fantastic player for us.”

Wanderers could also give fellow new arrivals Dapo Afolayan, MJ Williams and Lukas Jensen their first taste of action at Salford this weekend, and Evatt feels his squad has received a timely injection of quality during January.

“It’s the aim for every transfer window to exit it stronger than you entered it. We have definitely done that,” he said.

“If you look at the business we did in this window compared with the summer, we are a lot, lot stronger.”