Warnock due for Bolton return after short Villa break

After the doom and gloom yesterday of Bolton Wanderers being sentenced to sending Stephen Warnock back to the depths of Aston Villa's bench, it seems there is some good news to report today. Warnock was and is scheduled to leave Bolton following Saturday's match against Peterborough as his three-month-long loan deal finally draws to a close. The left back is still scheduled to leave on Saturday but it no longer seems like its for good.

As reported yesterday, the disparity between Bolton and Villa seemed to be in the share of his (relatively massive) wages. According to the Bolton News, after talks, the two sides are now much closer to an agreement than they once were. Warnock, who has played 14 games for Bolton (missing just two) over the course of his loan stint, will head back to Villa following Saturday's match. Because the teams are outside any sort of transfer window, any further move will have to wait until the January window to happen.

After the Peterborough game, Bolton Wanderers will have to worry about who to name in the back four for the December 29th home game against Birmingham City and, depending on how quickly Warnock is brought back, Leeds United away. The team could very well have Marcos Alonso (the only natural left back on the books) slot in like he did against Ipswich. Despite Bolton losing that game, Alonso actually played very well.

Villa had previously demanded a transfer fee in the range of £2 million for Warnock. That fee was deemed (rightfully so) ridiculous as Warnock is a 30-year-old defender who is (at least) third choice in the Aston Villa team and out of contract at the end of the season.