Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt is expecting a 'slightly weaker' League One this coming season.

Reading have dropped into the third tier for the first time since 2002, joining the likes of Derby County, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth in the lower leagues.

Ipswich Town, Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday were promoted from the division last season, creating a strong Championship alongside relegated Leeds United and Leicester City.

The Trotters reached the play-offs last season, finishing fifth on 81 points, but lost in the semi-final to Barnsley.

Evatt, who lifted the EFL Trophy with the Wanderers last season, believes football is cyclical and that last season was abnormally strong.

Speaking to the Bolton News, the former Blackpool defender said: "If you look at the Championship last season, for example, I think that was a weak year for that division. And that is no disrespect to any teams that were there – but if you look at the top two and the distance they put between themselves and the others, I think it was fundamentally quite a weak year.

“If you look at it this time around, with the three relegated from the Premier League, then the ones promoted from our division – Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday are really big clubs with big financial power – it will be a really tough one this year.

“League One does look slightly weaker in the cycle of divisions. League Two looks a bit stronger, National League looks slightly weaker. It has a cycle which goes around every year, divisions get stronger and weaker depending on the clubs and the resources they have that get promoted and relegated. I personally think this could be a good year in League One to be competing at the top end."

The Royals host Bolton in September, while they travel to the ToughSheet Stadium on Easter Monday.