Ex-Birmingham City striker invited to training by League One promotion rivals

Former Birmingham City Cameron Jerome has been invited to training by his former club Bolton Wanderers, despite releasing him in the summer.

The 38-year-old was made a free agent in the summer after Bolton decided against extending his contract. Jerome had been with Bolton for 18 months, but after 55 appearances and four goals, they opted to go in a different direction.

A few months later however, Jerome has returned to oversee a training session at the Greater Manchester club. He is assisting manager Ian Evatt, as he keeps a watchful eye over training, providing a second opinion to Evatt should he require it.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Whites boss Evatt said: “We had Cam come to visit us again today, it is great to have him in. He still wants to dip in, help the players and be another pair of lenses for me to look through and lean on.

“It has been great to have these senior players to speak to and see what they think.”

Bolton have one slot left in their squad after submitting their list to the EFL following the close of the summer transfer window. They did plot an ambitious swoop for an unnamed player, but he opted for a move abroad.

As for Jerome, it remains to be seen whether he is preparing himself for life after his playing days are over. In an interview in March 2019, Jerome admitted he wanted to focus on playing before considering doing his coaching badges and preparing for a career after he hangs up his boots.

Jerome has had a playing career that has lasted over 20 years, having begun at Cardiff City in October 2004. He was signed by Birmingham City in 2006 for a reported £3m, and it is at St Andrews where he spent the largest part of his career, having spent five full seasons as a player here. During his time with Blues, he scored 42 goals in 202 games, and was part of two promotion winning teams under Steve Bruce and Alex McLeish.

He scored 15 goals for MK Dons before Luton Town signed him, and then in January 2023, he signed for Bolton.