Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jay Spearing's career is in limbo over a back payment to former club Liverpool.

The Liverpool Echo says a £100,000 payment is due to Liverpool from Bolton.

The midfielder was left out of Bolton's home match with Preston on Saturday, when boss Neil Lennon learned that the Reds would have been due a six-figure payment had he played.

Spearing has played 22 Championship games for Wanderers this season, with the six-figure payment due on the 23rd.

“We had to leave Jay out because we can't afford to pay money to Liverpool," Lennon explained. “We did ask if they would defer it but they said no, and that's fine, it's their prerogative.

“If he plays another game we have to pay a certain amount of money to them but we can't afford that right now.

“That leaves him in limbo, a difficult position. And that is hard to take as well because I think we missed him against Preston."