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STEPHEN Dobbie could be the surprise name to solve Neil Lennon’s striker shortage this summer.
The 32-year-old Glaswegian has impressed since joining Wanderers on trial at the end of last month and is in line for an appearance against Sturm Graz this weekend.
While fellow trialist Wilson Palacios was left behind on the Austrian trip after failing to prove his fitness, Dobbie has looked sharp since Lennon brought him into the camp to take a closer look.
Wanderers have precious few options up front right now – with new signing Gary Madine and out-of-contract Emile Heskey the only other two out-and-out front men Lennon can call on for the rigorous pre-season schedule.
The Whites boss is thought to have sounded Dobbie out at the end of last season, while he was still on loan at Fleetwood Town from Crystal Palace, and knows him well from his time in Scottish football with Hibs, St Johnstone, Dumbarton and Queen of the South.
His arrival still came as some surprise last month, given he got mixed reviews at Fleetwood last summer.
Dobbie turned down the chance of a fourth spell at Blackpool last season to sign on loan at their local rivals but scored just four goals in 29 appearances.
Yet despite struggling to adapt to League One football, the Whites have been impressed with his conduct thus far and Saturday’s game at the Stadion Kumberg is a chance for him to earn a deal.
Tight finances remain a prohibitive factor in Lennon making new signings, and, it would seem in securing Heskey to a new deal.
The former England front man has trained diligently in Austria and remains hopeful he can sign another 12-month contract but the offer which at one stage of the summer looked a formality has now been put on hold.
It is understood Heskey has received assurances his future will be sorted soon – but he is currently not tied to the club in any way.
Lennon described the 37-year-old as his “best player” over the last three months of last season in the Championship and is keen to retain his services.
Owing to the lack of options, Wanderers are likely to stick with one man up front for the foreseeable future, using Zach Clough and Max Clayton in behind the main striker.
The club is keeping a close eye on both youngsters – both of whom missed the end of last season with injuries – and could use them sparingly in the opening few friendlies.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/13382042.Dobbie_could_solve_the_Whites_attacking_problems/
The 32-year-old Glaswegian has impressed since joining Wanderers on trial at the end of last month and is in line for an appearance against Sturm Graz this weekend.
While fellow trialist Wilson Palacios was left behind on the Austrian trip after failing to prove his fitness, Dobbie has looked sharp since Lennon brought him into the camp to take a closer look.
Wanderers have precious few options up front right now – with new signing Gary Madine and out-of-contract Emile Heskey the only other two out-and-out front men Lennon can call on for the rigorous pre-season schedule.
The Whites boss is thought to have sounded Dobbie out at the end of last season, while he was still on loan at Fleetwood Town from Crystal Palace, and knows him well from his time in Scottish football with Hibs, St Johnstone, Dumbarton and Queen of the South.
His arrival still came as some surprise last month, given he got mixed reviews at Fleetwood last summer.
Dobbie turned down the chance of a fourth spell at Blackpool last season to sign on loan at their local rivals but scored just four goals in 29 appearances.
Yet despite struggling to adapt to League One football, the Whites have been impressed with his conduct thus far and Saturday’s game at the Stadion Kumberg is a chance for him to earn a deal.
Tight finances remain a prohibitive factor in Lennon making new signings, and, it would seem in securing Heskey to a new deal.
The former England front man has trained diligently in Austria and remains hopeful he can sign another 12-month contract but the offer which at one stage of the summer looked a formality has now been put on hold.
It is understood Heskey has received assurances his future will be sorted soon – but he is currently not tied to the club in any way.
Lennon described the 37-year-old as his “best player” over the last three months of last season in the Championship and is keen to retain his services.
Owing to the lack of options, Wanderers are likely to stick with one man up front for the foreseeable future, using Zach Clough and Max Clayton in behind the main striker.
The club is keeping a close eye on both youngsters – both of whom missed the end of last season with injuries – and could use them sparingly in the opening few friendlies.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/13382042.Dobbie_could_solve_the_Whites_attacking_problems/
