IAN Evatt has warned his fringe stars they may have to ship out on loan before Monday’s deadline – or face being de-registered from first team duties.

Wanderers want two more signings but can only have 22 players aged over 21 in the squad which is submitted to the EFL at the start of February.

Evatt revealed that he has had loan offers for some of the players who have not featured in recent weeks, which is understood to include striker Nathan Delfouneso. And the Bolton boss says he will not shy away from making the tough decision to axe players from his league quota if it means getting more competition to push his team up League One.

“We have got room for more signings,” he told The Bolton News. “To be honest, there are certain players in the squad who have loan options and if they choose not to take them then we have the option to de-register them. That’s football.

“Sentiment in football gets you nowhere. It is my name above the door and it is me who will get the stick, so I will do what is best for Bolton Wanderers.

“I always have done and will continue to do.”

Wanderers want Gillingham midfielder Kyle Dempsey and appear to be making some progress in their efforts to negotiate a transfer fee for the 26-year-old midfielder.

Swansea City’s Yan Dhanda has also been linked with Bolton, although reports also claim he is currently discussing a move to MLS with DC United.

Evatt insists no player will be “pushed out of the door” but he is keen to ensure that with a busy February ahead, he is not short of in-form options.

“We have highlighted the two we want to bring in and I would be delighted to get those over the line but then with incomings it means that some players will be pushed further down the pecking order,” he added.

“They have options elsewhere and if they choose not to go down that route then we only have do much room in the squad. If there is a potential they will be deregistered then it can only be to their benefit to go and get football elsewhere if they have the option to play somewhere else.”

Wanderers hope to get some business concluded today, adding to the arrival of Dion Charles, Marlon Fossey, Aaron Morley and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in the window to date.

“I wish January was going on longer,” Evatt joked. “I am sure Sharon and the board would disagree with me. I love January, as you saw last year, it has been fruitful for me and I hope this one will be too.

“There has been a lot of maintenance in the squad, fresh blood brought in, and I seeing a lot of good at the moment. It is a process and we have to trust it.”