WANDERERS striker Conor Carty is set to join Doncaster Rovers on loan for the second half of the season.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international recently signed a new contract with Bolton, having impressed in a season-long loan with St Patrick’s Athletic.
Wanderers have had several enquiries from clubs looking to take him in January and it is understood that he will now be sent out to League Two with Grant McCann’s Rovers, who are currently placed 20th in the table with one of the poorest scoring records in the division.
The County Wicklow-born forward could link up with his new loan club as soon as New Year’s Day, where they take on MK Dons at the Eco Power Stadium.
Carty, 21, arrived at Bolton after spending five years on the books at Wolves and was given a first team debut at Tranmere Rovers in the Papa Johns Trophy in September 2022, scoring within a few minutes of his arrival on the pitch to secure a 1-1 draw.
His time at St Patrick’s ended with victory in the FAI Cup final against Bohemians in front of 40,000 people at the Aviva Stadium. The youngster scored six times in 41 appearances.
On his return, former B Team boss, now first team coach Matt Craddock, said the club had been delighted with the progress that Carty had made.
“Every player in the B Team has an individual development plan (IDP) and Conor had some really clear objectives as to what area he needed to improve on,” he said. “The loan we chose for him was so he would get opportunities to develop that specific skill.
“Really, it was all about out-of-possession work, his work-rate, understanding how and when to press, and anyone who watched him this year will say that area has come on so much. Suddenly now he looks like a player.
“You saw his finishing is very good with the goal he scored at Tranmere in the Papa Johns last season. When you come to any club – but particularly ours – we have a specific way in which we want to do things. Each position has requirements for that player to play in our first team.
“The out-of-possession stuff was an area we thought he could improve on. We knew he could do it, he just needed that opportunity.
“He will kick himself because he feels he should have scored more at St Pat’s but the role he played for them has been tremendous and the feedback we have had has been nothing but positive. They would take him back with a click of their fingers. He has done himself, the club and the B Team really proud.”
