DECLAN John’s loan spell with Wanderers has officially ended – but the Welshman gave fans hope that he may return by admitting he has had a ball.

The defender arrived in January with the hope of resurrecting his career after a barren spell with Swansea City and made a huge impact at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Out of contract in the summer the Wales international knows that Ian Evatt would like him to return to play in League One next season.

John was a big part of the side which clinched promotion at Crawley on Saturday and says he did everything he set out to achieve with the Whites.

“I have really enjoyed it here,” he said. “It has been really good.

“At the start when I first came in it was a case of me playing games and getting back into the swing of doing that week in and week out.

“I did that and I think I have done well this season. I’ve enjoyed playing for the gaffer and before the game he’d been telling me and Gethin to get forward, keep running in and making things happen. I think we have both done that well.”

Wanderers picked up 14 wins from 19 games that John started to rocket up the league and secure their promotion spot.

Asked what was the secret of the club’s success, John added: “I don’t know, it’s a really hard one to answer.

“I just think the changing room is absolutely superb. It’s got to be probably one of the best ones that I’ve been in for sure and the boys have been working really hard all season.”

One of the highlights of John’s stay has been the partnership forged with West Ham loanee Dapo Afolayan, who grabbed his first goal for Bolton at Crawley on what could yet be his final appearance.

“He’s a top player,” he added. “You can see that. I was buzzing for him as the gaffer was saying for him before the game to get to the back post. The ball’s actually trickled across and he’s scored today. I told him he was going to score before the game and he was brilliant today.”