PROBLEMS are mounting up for Dougie Freedman just two weeks before Wanderers’ pre-season schedule gets underway.

It is understood Marc Tierney – the squad’s only recognised senior left-back – will miss the start of the Championship season after undergoing an operation to remove scar tissue and check out the screws inserted to repair the broken leg that put him on the sidelines in September last year.

To add to Freedman’s misery, the Whites are still no closer to joining the hunt for Middlesbrough striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, which leaves their attacking ranks looking painfully thin with just over a month to go before the big kick-off against Watford.

Marvin Sordell continues to sort out the fine details of his move to Burnley, which leaves only two front men - Jermaine Beckford and Craig Davies – who started a league game last season.

Wanderers face Brondby in a fortnight the first of a three-game tour of Scandinavia - but are not expected to add to their ranks before leaving the country.

Freedman announced his intention to get business done quickly after finishing 14th last term and confirmed deals for Neil Danns, Liam Trotter, Andy Robinson, Liam Feeney and Dorian Dervite before the end of May.

After getting off to a fast start, things have slowed significantly in the last four weeks, with the only new arrival being that of development squad goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.

And the lack of new arrivals in familiar problem areas, full-back and up front, are a particular worry to Wanderers fans, who are hoping to build on the improved form shown in the second half of last season and mount a play-off push.

Freedman has trimmed his wage bill significantly in the last 30 months, losing big earners such as Martin Petrov, Kevin Davies, Zat Knight, David Ngog, Tyrone Mears, Chris Eagles, Sam Ricketts and Marcos Alonso.

Sordell should soon add to that list, although sources at Turf Moor believe the deal will not be fully concluded until early next week.

Keith Andrews is another player who has been offered football elsewhere by Huddersfield Town but is currently negotiating his way out of his remaining 12 months at Bolton.

Contract offers have been made to Andre Moritz and Arran Lee-Barrett – although there is no indication at present whether they have been accepted.