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Official: Kevin Davies will not be offered a new Bolton Wanderers deal

Laurence Griffiths

Today is Kevin Davies' 36th birthday. The Bolton Wanderers captain has been a member of the squad for just a few months shy of a decade following his arrival as a free agent from Blackburn. His current contract expires at the end of the season. The club have just confirmed that the captain will not be handed a contract extension.

That means that SKD's Bolton Wanderers tenure will end one of two ways: at the end of the season, regardless of where Bolton Wanderers end up, or during this Football League loan window where he has had interest from multiple clubs.

There are ongoing debates about what, if anything, Kevin Davies can offer the club. Despite his age, he is still able to put in strong performances for the men in white and his experience is unquestionable. Davies recently began earning his coaching badges and many had hoped he would take on a role with the club in a coaching capacity following his retirement.

He is undoubtedly one of the club's highest earners, understandable given his years of service, and with three younger strikers all fighting for first team minutes (and arguably looking likelier to score), the decision is understandable.

SKD is scheduled to make a radio appearance later today.

Dougie Freedman made the situation clear, speaking in a statement on the club's official website:

"Kevin Davies is and always will be a Wanderers legend.

"I want to be fair to him as regards his future, as he deserves it. This decision means that he is now free to sort himself out with a new club in plenty of time for next season.

"Being the type of man Kevin is, we sat down and had a chat about the future. He wants to carry on playing, and playing regularly. He has that desire to continue and this is the best move for him.

"I would like to thank him for his complete support and utter professionalism since I arrived.

"He never gives anything less than 100 percent in training, or when called on for first team duties.

"He will continue to be available for selection for the remaining games of the season."