{"id":559163,"date":"2020-07-22T12:56:54","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T16:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=559163"},"modified":"2020-07-22T12:56:54","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T16:56:54","slug":"report-alex-baptiste-given-bolton-wanderers-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/22\/report-alex-baptiste-given-bolton-wanderers-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Alex Baptiste Given Bolton Wanderers Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alex Baptiste has been given a chance to return to Bolton <\/span>Wanderers<\/span>, according to a report from Marc Iles the Bolton News<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Baptiste is a familiar name to fans of several EFL clubs. In total, the defender has <\/span>represented<\/span> 11 current EFL teams plus non-league Tamworth.\u00a0 Although, technically, he has only played EFL football for ten of these clubs as Burton Albion were still a non-league club when Baptiste played for them in February 2004.
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Alex Baptiste Given Bolton Wanderers Trial<\/h2>\n

Baptiste Uses His Connections<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2010, Baptiste helped Blackpool win promotion to the Premier League. During their promotion-winning season of 2009\/10, he made 49 appearances in all competitions for the Seasiders. Although Blackpool only managed one season in the top-flight, it was one heck of a story. Among his Blackpool team-mates <\/span>was Ian<\/span> Evatt, who has recently been appointed as the new manager of Bolton Wanderers<\/a>.
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Both were members of Blackpool’s defence. Their work-rate and understanding formed the backbone of the club’s promotion-winning team. This was demonstrated during a 4-1 victory<\/a> over Scunthorpe United in November 2009. On that night, Baptiste<\/span> scored Blackpool’s fourth goal from 25-yards. Earlier in the match, he had also provided the cross for Evatt to score the equalising goal.<\/p>\n

Ironically, Baptiste probably knows more about Bolton than their new manager, for he has already played for the Lancashire side. Following Blackpool’s inability to regain their <\/span>Premier<\/span> League status, Baptiste joined Bolton. Between July 2013 – July 2015, he scored four goals in 43 appearances for Wanderers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plagued By Injury<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sadly, injury has affected Baptiste’s career in recent years. Last summer, he joined <\/span>Doncaster<\/span> Rovers of League One. Just two<\/span>\u00a0games<\/span> into the 2019\/20 season, Baptiste snapped his Achilles tendon during a game. It seemed that t<\/span>he<\/span> injury could end his career.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>February<\/span>, Baptiste revealed his fears in an interview with The Doncaster Free Press<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I thought it would be the end of the season and then obviously I might be struggling with a contract with having been out for so long and coming up to 34,” confirmed Baptiste.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were at the hospital on the night and the guy [medic]<\/span>\u00a0said it would be nine to 12 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was devastated. I just thought it [my career] was over.”<\/span><\/p>\n

More Bad Luck<\/span><\/h3>\n

Around the world, m<\/span>any people are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some more so than others. T<\/span>o a certain extent, <\/span>Baptiste has also been affected.
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In February, he had almost recovered from his Achilles injury. He was enthusing over the prospect of again playing for Doncaster during the 2019\/20 season. Unfortunately, <\/span>the League One season was halted in mid-March due to <\/span>the pandemic. This prevented Baptiste from <\/span>resuming<\/span> his career with Doncaster. The Yorkshire side then opted to release him<\/a> in June.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even at 34-years of age, a fully-fit Baptiste would prove a good addition to many lower league EFL clubs, especially as he has a wealth of <\/span>experience<\/span> from playing at a higher level with the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bolton are currently in training, awaiting the start of the 2020\/21 season.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>