Craig Dawson set to join Bolton Wanderers on loan

According to Sky Sports, the Trotters have just boosted their defense ranks with the signing of Craig Dawson on loan. The central defender will join from West Bromwich Albion for the rest of the Championship season. The signing has been rumored for quite some time but Bolton fans should know that the Trotters had to beat out other suitors, including the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United to get him.

Dawson is a highly touted prospect at West Brom and the 21-year-old has ten England U21 caps and five goals at that level to his name already. Dawson signed for the Baggies in 2010 from Rochdale before immediately going on loan back to the League One side. In the 2010/2011 season, he made 45 League One appearances for Rochdale, scoring ten goals and helping the Dale secure a ninth place finish.

He has not been given much of a chance at West Brom this year, having only started once and been substituted on an additional two times with those appearances coming between the Capital One and FA Cups. The move will surely easy the pressure on Tim Ream and Zat Knight, Bolton's only two fit natural central defenders, ahead of some very busy periods of play for the Whites.

Dawson's loan will be for six months but don't expect a full transfer at any point. Dawson is highly prized by West Brom and it'll take a healthy fee for them to release their grasp.