Exclusive: Bolton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City eyeing move for Cardiff City player | OneFootball

Three League One clubs are interested in Cardiff City's Joel Colwill, Football League World has learned

League One trio Bolton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City are all keen on a move for Cardiff City's Joel Colwill if the talented midfielder is recalled from his loan stint with Cheltenham Town this month, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

While the Bluebirds have struggled this season, Colwill's form on loan in League Two has been a source of real excitement for Cardiff.

Brother of Wales international playmaker Rubin, the 20-year-old has made a serious impression with the Robins by recording nine goals and three assists across all competitions, prompting natural talk of a recall to either enter Omer Riza's first-team or, more likely, to go back on loan to a higher level.

Both courses of action remain a possibility, one would imagine, but if the intention is to seek a second loan spell away from the Cardiff City Stadium then Colwill can be expected to have no shortage of suitors.

Bolton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City keen on Cardiff City's Joel Colwill

Following an impressive first-half of the season with Cheltenham, Football League World has learned that clubs in the division above are keeping a watchful eye on his progress.

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World that Bolton, Bristol Rovers and Exeter are keen on the Wales youth international if Cardiff end his loan with Cheltenham in order to allow him to join a League One club, which has already been suggested by Riza.

Interest from Exeter was previously reported via X by Darren Witcoop, although we can reveal that Colwill is on the radar of League One duo Bolton and Bristol Rovers ahead of a potential early recall from Cheltenham.

Colwill, a graduate of the club's academy, has an exciting long-term future at Cardiff and they'll certainly envisage a first-team role for him before long, meaning added experience at a higher level could be important in the coming months.

Omer Riza's Joel Colwill, Cardiff City stance amid League One interest

Riza has made his personal stance on Colwill clear in no uncertain terms, believing the attacking midfielder to be capable of stepping up to the third-tier this term.

Such comments initially went down poorly with Cheltenham boss Michael Flynn, but Riza reiterated his thoughts on Colwill last week - and it will be interesting to see what leads from them, given that the Bluebirds can ultimately make the call on the player's future and next destination.

Riza told BBC Sport Wales: "Joel's doing excellently, he's a great player, he's doing really well in League Two.

"He's one of our players that we hold in high regard. Whether he comes back in the building for January is a conversation we need to have.

"For me, I've already stated I think that he could do with stepping up to another level, but I upset the manager at Cheltenham with that last week, so I apologise for that.