BOLTON LOOKING TO SIGN CITY PLAYER

TheBoltonNews

Sat May 31st 2014

Bolton Wanderers are contemplating a move to re-sign loan striker Joe Mason this summer.

Mason has slipped further down the pecking order at Cardiff City this week with the signings of strike duo Federico Macheda and Adam Le Fondre.

Javi Guerro has also arrived this close season to add to an overflowing attacking department at the Cardiff City Stadium, that already included Frazier Campbell and Kenwyne Jones who were first-choice options last season.

And The Bolton News understands the Whites would be interested should Mason be deemed surplus to requirements by Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his two spells at the Reebok Stadium last term.

Wanderers are already chasing the signature of another former loanee in the shape of Lukas Jutkiewicz.

But it is not thought interest in Mason would change that with boss Dougie Freedman keen to add both to his ranks for the 2014/15 campaign.

The 23-year-old former Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker is a fans’ favourite at Cardiff and is currently on a contract until 2016 after signing an improved deal just a year after joining from Plymouth Argyle in 2011.

But he only figured three times for the Bluebirds last season – all of those appearances coming in cup competitions.

And despite relegation back to the Championship after just one season in the top flight, it appears he is still likely to remain on the fringes if he stays on in the Welsh capital.

It is believed Wanderers would appeal to Mason after a successful spell at the end of last season when he netted five goals in eight games, starting alongside Jutkiewicz in seven of those and coming off the bench to net a last-gasp winner at Huddersfield in the other.

Jutkiewicz certainly brought the best out in Mason whose first spell with the Whites last autumn gleaned just one goal from eight outings.

In his second batch of eight matches, Wanderers lost just once and in only two did either Mason or Jutkiewicz fail to score.

In wins against Watford and Leeds they both found the net and it is that profitable link-up that is tempting Freedman to try to secure both signatures this summer.

The outcome, however, may rest on not only their availability but the fees involved with both under contract – Jutkiewicz’s deal at Middlesbrough has 12 months to run and they value him around the £1million mark.

If the finances could be found to sign both, Freedman would head into the new campaign confident of having the firepower
for a sustained promotion bid.

Time for mason to move on for me. Decent squad player but will never break in with Campbell, guerra, le fondre and Macheda here, he's just not the same level. Healy is also a better player IMO, time for Maynard to go as well he's to unfit and not the player he used to be about 4-5 yrs ago.

I'd like to give him at least another season. I think a different style and system could suit him. He's very gifted technically and a great finisher, he can also cover quite a few positions. Useful to have on the bench.

if Bolton want him then we should hold out for a decent fee. I still think he's got a future at a high level.

Time for mason to move on for me. Decent squad player but will never break in with Campbell, guerra, le fondre and Macheda here, he's just not the same level. Healy is also a better player IMO, time for Maynard to go as well he's to unfit and not the player he used to be about 4-5 yrs ago.

It may well be difficult for Mason to force his way in and perhaps it is time to move on, but to suggest Healy is a better player is laughable, succeeding at development level and a few minutes in a Premiership game provides no evidence to prove your theory, he's a prospect at this stage and no more and he might be the one to get loaned out.
Maynard on the other hand has been very unlucky with injuries, I and many others felt he was just getting back towards his best before his horrific injury 2 seasons ago, he probably will go, but again your judgement seems a tad harsh.

Time for mason to move on for me. Decent squad player but will never break in with Campbell, guerra, le fondre and Macheda here, he's just not the same level. Healy is also a better player IMO, time for Maynard to go as well he's to unfit and not the player he used to be about 4-5 yrs ago.

I think Mason would have scored more than Campbell given the chance.Anyway i can see Campbell walking.

Thought mason was excellent in malkys first season, hell score plenty at championship level,would be disappointed if he left

Can we let Bolton have Macheda and keep Mason?

Really had big hopes for him but wasn't given a chance after his first season.Could come back to haunt us!!

Let's be honest we have better players now and mason should be let go

Time for mason to move on for me. Decent squad player but will never break in with Campbell, guerra, le fondre and Macheda here, he's just not the same level. Healy is also a better player IMO, time for Maynard to go as well he's to unfit and not the player he used to be about 4-5 yrs ago.

Healy is certainly not a better player. Mason is potentially our best finisher in front of goal and since last season hasn't been given a fair shot in the first team. It's a shame that he's been put on the back burner but I feel he can certainly add to this team. Would rather see Maynard, Jones and possibly Campbell go.

I do feel Malky was a little unfair on Mason, he has had a minimal impact on our season over the last two seasons. if he had been loaned out for full seasons im sure he would have developed as a player. Sadly he has been hanging around and then going out on loan for a little while, then back, then back on loan.

I think he needs a fresh start now, id wish him well.

I do feel Malky was a little unfair on Mason, he has had a minimal impact on our season over the last two seasons. if he had been loaned out for full seasons im sure he would have developed as a player. Sadly he has been hanging around and then going out on loan for a little while, then back, then back on loan.

I think he needs a fresh start now, id wish him well.

I really wanna keep him here but like you said, he shouldn't be messed around anymore.