Tim Ream to stay and fight for Bolton place, says agent

It hasn't been easy going for Tim Ream at Bolton Wanderers. After signing in January, 2012, he was immediately given a trial by fire with an away match at Millwall's Den followed by another trip to the Etihad to take on eventual champions Manchester City before returning home to take on Chelsea. Under Owen Coyle in the Championship, Tim Ream only played three times as Matt Mills became the doomed manager's preferred defender.

It was under the short stewardship of Jimmy Phillips that Tim Ream found a way back into the team before becoming a semi-regular under Dougie Freedman. The then-new Bolton manager was still searching for his best back four at that point and would often cycle between Matt Mills, Tim Ream, and Sam Ricketts for that central defensive spot alongside Zat Knight before bringing Craig Dawson in. Tim Ream found his way back into the side for the season's final game, against Blackpool, when David Wheater was largely tipped to start.

A week ago, a rumor emerged that Middlesbrough were keen on the American defender. It seemed that manager Tony Mowbray was looking to plug some gaps in the back of his own defense. That rumor turned out to be past interest that never manifested itself and was ultimately clarified by Tim Ream's agent.

Today, his agent was interviewed by the Bolton News and is adement that his client will stay and fight for a place in Bolton's defense:

"The Middlesbrough thing took me aback a little bit. If they have made an enquiry then they have done so to the club and not to me.

"Tim has very much liked being in Bolton. He is settled.

"Sure, he probably hasn't seen as much game time as he would have liked, but my impression is that he is looking forward to getting back into pre-season training and working hard to change that. He's hoping for a fresh start."

Dougie Freedman has already signed defender Marc Tierney to shore up his defense with Alex Baptiste very likely to also join the team. Freedman also has four central defenders to choose from now in Wheater, Mills, Knight, and Ream. However, Matt Mills is heavily rumored to be on the way out.