Bolton midfielder Dempsey out for the season

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Kyle Dempsey will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

The 29-year-old has been out since October having aggravated a meniscus injury and is set to undergo surgery.

Boss Ian Evatt said over the festive period that Dempsey had suffered another tear to the muscle, and confirmed on Thursday he will likely miss the rest of the current campaign.

"We've had the report on Kyle and it's probably the worse end of what we expected," Evatt told BBC Radio Manchester.

"He's going to have to have more surgery which probably rules him out for the remainder of the season.

"We'll know more when the consultant enters the knee but we're pretty certain that he'll be out for a significant period."

Despite Dempsey's extended absence, Evatt said there was better news in relation to other members of the squad on Bolton's injury list.

Bolton have also confirmed the signing of midfielder Joel Randall from Peterborough United.

"Kyle's meniscus needs completely repairing so that's a blow," Evatt added.

"But Owen [Toal] and Josh [Sheehan] - Josh has been with us this week and back training fully on Friday.

"Owen will begin training again next week so the squad is pretty deep."