WANDERERS have whittled down their options on who will replace Sam Hird as the next first team coach.

Matt Craddock – who stepped up to fill the post during the recruitment process – is being considered alongside at least one other candidate.

Initially brought in as B Team manager, Craddock has impressed Evatt since coming into the senior fold.

“We have really narrowed down the shortlist and in the final stages of the process now,” explained the Bolton boss. “It has been a long and thorough search and we have had lots of quality candidates put their name forward.

“We have set tasks, I have talked to people personally, and we are almost there. We have nailed it down to the last couple, really, and obviously Matt (Craddock) has been a big part of that as well. He has done an incredible job since stepping up.

“I have seen first-hand how he has worked with the players and how they have improved under his guidance, I have been really impressed with him.

“At the moment we’re not putting a date on when an announcement will be made but we have really got some good learnings from the whole process.”

The first team coach role became vacant after Hird took up a post with the PFA last month.

The former Leeds United and Chesterfield defender had previously turned down offers to go into management with the likes of York City.

Evatt explained: “Not only is Sam someone I have worked with for a long period of time but he is also a friend. We have a personal relationship.

“This job comes with a lot of sacrifice – hours away from home and family. There was a chance for him to go and have a different direction in his career at the PFA, long term security, and also being able to spend weekends at home, watch his son play football.

“All these things go into the decision-making process.

“He has been unbelievable for me in the last three years, he was great for me as a player at Barrow and I’d played with him at Chesterfield. I’m really pleased he has an opportunity which gives him a chance to do some of the things he can’t do in this job.”