WANDERERS are ready to call on Bruno to land a Boxing Day knockout blow on derby rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Ex-England striker Emile Heskey is to be offered a short-term contract after turning back the clock with the Whites this week.

Despite turning 37 in January, the former Liverpool and Wigan Athletic man showed he has plenty left in the tank with a 68-minute stint for the development squad on Monday night.

And Lennon revealed he could wrap up an early Christmas present as early as today after holding talks with his former Leicester City team-mate and securing international clearance.

“I think we could do it for Blackburn,” he told The Bolton News. “We've got time so I don't see why not.

“It would help that I know him and I know his advisors too. It's not a done deal by any means but what I saw last night pleased me and it's given us food for thought.

“I was looking at his athleticism. He was hanging in the air for headers and was still quick across the ground. His touch and strength were good. I didn't think he would do those things so quickly.

“He's obviously kept himself in shape since coming back from Australia and has trained quite well. He's a specimen and has always been a really good athlete.”

Lennon might have been hurried into a deal for Heskey with continued concern over the fitness of Craig Davies.

The Wales international will have a fitness test today to determine whether he can take any part in the derby or the December 28 trip to Huddersfield Town.

It raises the intriguing prospect of Heskey partnering another thirty-something in Eidur Gudjohnsen up front.

But despite a combined 70-plus years between them, Lennon insists they have the quality that counts.

“It's disrespectful to concentrate on his age,” he said of Heskey. “Age is a number and is an indefinable thing. You see some really young looking 36-year-olds on the pitch and some really old ones.

“It depends on the history of their career too and how they've looked after themselves. These two guys have played for a long, long time at top clubs and players are still playing at that age in the Premier League and Champions League.

“John Terry is no spring chicken and he plays every game for Chelsea. They're not at their peak any more but they're still making a good contribution. Frank Lampard has made a huge contribution to Manchester City this season.

“These two have been at the top level for a long, long time so I don't see it as a gamble.”