Burnden Aces

Lennon Questions McNaughton's Fitness Levels

• February 26, 2015 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/c2bd3

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• Kevin McNaughton, Neil Lennon
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Neil Lennon has explained Kevin McNaughton's omission from his Bolton squad, by claiming the on-loan defender isn't training well enough.

With Alex Baptiste and Hayden White out on loan, and Oscar Threlkeld yet to establish himself at first-team level, Josh Vela had filled in at right-back in recent months.

The academy graduate has largely impressed but has suffered from a dip in form during Wanderers' current losing run, prompting supporters to questions McNaughton's absence.

When quizzed over his decision to constantly overlook the on-loan Cardiff City defender, Lennon said McNaughton, who hasn't featured since October, isn't currently in contention for a place in the squad due to his inability to train at the desired level.

"Kevin McNaughton is just not training to the level we want him to and he's required to," Lennon told The Bolton News.

"He's not always 100 per cent fit so we just have to keep an eye on him in terms of Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday games.

"He's not really been in our plans because Josh Vela has done so well there and we like a bit of pace and strength there in the right-back position."

After spending most of last season on loan at Bolton, McNaughton has made seven appearances this season - taking his total up to 20 for the club.

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