Nelson Khumbeni has returned to Wanderers following a loan spell at League Two club Accrington Stanley during the first half of the season.

Khumbeni made 24 appearances for the Reds and scored a superb strike in a 2-2 draw at Wimbledon in November.

The 22-year-old midfielder started the FA Cup defeat against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, getting the chance to test himself against the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez.

He helped the Reds climb to 19th in the table and move five points above the drop zone, with a game in hand, following a tough start to the campaign.

An official update from Stanley read: “Accrington Stanley can today confirm that midfielder Nelson Khumbeni has returned to Bolton Wanderers following the expiry of his half-season loan.”

The message added: “Everyone at the club wishes Nelson all the very best for the future.”

Khumbeni joined Wanderers’ B Team ranks in the summer of 2022 following a spell at Norwich and impressed in the Central League.

He also had loan stints at AFC Fylde and Morecambe last term in the National League and League Two respectively to get valuable experience under his belt in men’s football.

Earlier this month, Ian Evatt revealed there had been more interest in the midfielder and that he could be sent out at a higher level during the second half of the campaign.

“There is interest in Nelson – some permanent and some loan,” he told The Bolton News.

“Again, we’ll have conversations behind the scenes over the next week and make the best decision for us and him.”