Barrow AFC will continue what looks set to be a losing battle to keep their manager with Bolton Wanderers expected to make a fresh approach for Ian Evatt.

It is understood the Bluebirds want £250,000 as compensation for the Trotters buying Evatt out of his contract, which he signed in 2019, that has two years left to run.

They turned down an offer from Bolton last week, which the Bolton News believes to have been around £150,000.

However, the former Premier League outfit, who will be sharing a division with AFC for the first time ever next season, are expected to intensify their pursuit, having apparently agreed to pay the compensation in one chunk.

Whether Barrow get the fee they feel they're due is up for debate as the Trotters are arguing certain compensation clauses centreing around the Bluebirds' promotion from the National League haven't kicked in as the League Two season hasn't yet begun.

It remains to be seen whether Evatt, who ended AFC's 48-year wait to return to the EFL, will take any of his backroom staff, including assistant manager Peter Atherton, with him should he leave Holker Street.