WANDERERS are hoping to salvage a bid for West Brom full-back Goran Popov after the deal looked dead in the water last night.

The Macedonia international had been poised to link-up with Dougie Freedman’s side in time to face Burnley at the Reebok tonight, only for the Premier League and Football League to veto the move at the last possible moment.

Popov is currently on a season-long loan at the Hawthorns from Dynamo Kiev and had the transfer been made inside the normal winter window, it would have one through smoothly.

Albion and Kiev are happy for the defender to sign for Bolton but as the deal was being made as an emergency loan, the authorities deemed it an international transfer and refused to sanction it.

However, talks have been held through the night and into today in the effort to keep the move alive and while there are still no guarantees, sources in the Midlands indicate there is ground being made in negotiations, which also include the Football Association itself.

Wanderers have been desperate for a left-back since Marc Tierney broke his leg against Yeovil in October and have had to patch-up using Alex Baptiste and Tim Ream while a suitable replacement could be found.

If all goes as planned, the 29-year-old could be in place by the time the Whites face Millwall at The Den on Saturday.