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Neil Lennon has been forced back to the drawing board after missing out on two of his priority striker signings.
Charlton Athletic’s Igor Vetokele and Bournemouth’s Yann Kermorgant have now slipped through the net, leaving the Wanderers boss facing an uphill struggle to land a new signing before the weekend’s trip to QPR.
Lennon said after the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Brighton that he was close to a loan deal – believed to be Vetokele – and could complete the transfer by Monday.
But The Bolton News understands that the Angola international does not want to move away from The Valley while he is still regaining full fitness.
The 23-year-old has sat out the Addicks’ last two games with an inflammation of the pubic bone, and was already short on match sharpness following a long battle against an Achilles problem.
Charlton are looking to loan the former FC Copenhagen star out to clear some room in their budget for loan signings of their own but the matter may not be resolved quickly enough for Lennon, who despite welcoming Max Clayton back in his attack at the weekend, is still looking for more firepower.
Bournemouth, as expected, have put the brakes on any loan move for French striker Kermorgant following the news that Callum Wilson will be out for at least six months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Kermorgant is in the Cherries’ 25-man Premier League squad and cannot be replaced but had been on the verge of a move to Bristol City on transfer deadline day, which alerted a number of clubs, including Wanderers, to his availability.
Wilson’s injury leaves Eddie Howe short on options, however, and the Bournemouth boss is believed to have put the stops on any loan talks for now.
Wanderers could have Emile Heskey back in action after a hamstring problem by the time they travel to Loftus Road on Saturday but, speaking at the weekend, Lennon stressed that his attacking options are still not to his liking.
Gary Madine registered his first goal for the club against Brighton but the manager feels his side still lack a “game-changer” and vowed to continue his hunt for reinforcements.
The Whites boss also moved to ease the expectations on fit-again Clayton after his return from a serious knee injury.
The youngster impressed against Brighton, his first start since December, but Lennon said the 21-year-old would not be pushed too hard.
“It was a really serious injury,” he said, “so obviously we’ll keep a close eye on how he recovers from the game and what we want to do with him next weekend.
“It was very encouraging but I don’t want to load too much pressure on him too soon and run any risks.”
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Charlton Athletic’s Igor Vetokele and Bournemouth’s Yann Kermorgant have now slipped through the net, leaving the Wanderers boss facing an uphill struggle to land a new signing before the weekend’s trip to QPR.
Lennon said after the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Brighton that he was close to a loan deal – believed to be Vetokele – and could complete the transfer by Monday.
But The Bolton News understands that the Angola international does not want to move away from The Valley while he is still regaining full fitness.
The 23-year-old has sat out the Addicks’ last two games with an inflammation of the pubic bone, and was already short on match sharpness following a long battle against an Achilles problem.
Charlton are looking to loan the former FC Copenhagen star out to clear some room in their budget for loan signings of their own but the matter may not be resolved quickly enough for Lennon, who despite welcoming Max Clayton back in his attack at the weekend, is still looking for more firepower.
Bournemouth, as expected, have put the brakes on any loan move for French striker Kermorgant following the news that Callum Wilson will be out for at least six months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Kermorgant is in the Cherries’ 25-man Premier League squad and cannot be replaced but had been on the verge of a move to Bristol City on transfer deadline day, which alerted a number of clubs, including Wanderers, to his availability.
Wilson’s injury leaves Eddie Howe short on options, however, and the Bournemouth boss is believed to have put the stops on any loan talks for now.
Wanderers could have Emile Heskey back in action after a hamstring problem by the time they travel to Loftus Road on Saturday but, speaking at the weekend, Lennon stressed that his attacking options are still not to his liking.
Gary Madine registered his first goal for the club against Brighton but the manager feels his side still lack a “game-changer” and vowed to continue his hunt for reinforcements.
The Whites boss also moved to ease the expectations on fit-again Clayton after his return from a serious knee injury.
The youngster impressed against Brighton, his first start since December, but Lennon said the 21-year-old would not be pushed too hard.
“It was a really serious injury,” he said, “so obviously we’ll keep a close eye on how he recovers from the game and what we want to do with him next weekend.
“It was very encouraging but I don’t want to load too much pressure on him too soon and run any risks.”
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