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David Wheater hopes Wanderers find a way to bring hot-shot Adam Le Fondre back through the doors this summer.
Talks are underway with the 30-year-old striker about a permanent move after he played a key role in the Whites promotion on loan from Cardiff City.
Le Fondre had said he would re-sign for the Whites “in a heartbeat” if terms can be agreed but much could depend on the budget set by Ken Anderson as he looks to rein the club’s finances back under control.
Had the former Reading man signed last summer, rather than January, Wheater believes it would have been a closer run thing at the top of League One.
“If he’d been here from the start of the season I think we’d have gone up weeks earlier,” he said. “That’s how good his partnership with Gaz Madine has been for us.
“He could have been our Billy Sharp – getting the same goals he did for Sheffield United – and who knows where that could have put us?
“I think with the players we have got at the moment we’ll cope with the Championship, especially if we can get Alfie in.”
Le Fondre’s partnership with Gary Madine proved particularly profitable this season.
In the 12 games both players featured from the start Wanderers remained undefeated, taking 32 points from a possible 36, and netting 28 goals, 10 of which came from either Le Fondre or Madine.
Wheater believes the partnership can also bring goals at the higher level.
“I have said the same thing about Gary for most of the season that he hasn’t always got the praise he deserves but he’s been a top, top player,” he said.
“Him and Alfie have had such a good partnership. Alfie gets the headlines because he’s a natural goal-scorer but Gaz just mucks in and does the work other people don’t want to do.
“Defenders hate playing against people like that – players who’ll run into you, kick you and wrestle you off the ball.
“He’s been really important and I think he’s got about 10 assists too.
“They would definitely handle the Championship in my opinion but it’s not up to me, it’s up to the manager and the chairman.”
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Talks are underway with the 30-year-old striker about a permanent move after he played a key role in the Whites promotion on loan from Cardiff City.
Le Fondre had said he would re-sign for the Whites “in a heartbeat” if terms can be agreed but much could depend on the budget set by Ken Anderson as he looks to rein the club’s finances back under control.
Had the former Reading man signed last summer, rather than January, Wheater believes it would have been a closer run thing at the top of League One.
“If he’d been here from the start of the season I think we’d have gone up weeks earlier,” he said. “That’s how good his partnership with Gaz Madine has been for us.
“He could have been our Billy Sharp – getting the same goals he did for Sheffield United – and who knows where that could have put us?
“I think with the players we have got at the moment we’ll cope with the Championship, especially if we can get Alfie in.”
Le Fondre’s partnership with Gary Madine proved particularly profitable this season.
In the 12 games both players featured from the start Wanderers remained undefeated, taking 32 points from a possible 36, and netting 28 goals, 10 of which came from either Le Fondre or Madine.
Wheater believes the partnership can also bring goals at the higher level.
“I have said the same thing about Gary for most of the season that he hasn’t always got the praise he deserves but he’s been a top, top player,” he said.
“Him and Alfie have had such a good partnership. Alfie gets the headlines because he’s a natural goal-scorer but Gaz just mucks in and does the work other people don’t want to do.
“Defenders hate playing against people like that – players who’ll run into you, kick you and wrestle you off the ball.
“He’s been really important and I think he’s got about 10 assists too.
“They would definitely handle the Championship in my opinion but it’s not up to me, it’s up to the manager and the chairman.”
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