WANDERERS are preparing to secure three players to a contract by the end of the week – but Neil Lennon insists he still has one more ace up his sleeve.

Emile Heskey, Lawrie Wilson and Stephen Dobbie are all expected to be confirmed by the club before tomorrow night’s final pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic.

But after loaning Rob Hall out to MK Dons, Lennon is pushing to have one more new arrival in place in time for the Championship season.

“After he moved on I would think we can now bring someone in,” he told The Bolton News. “That is what we are working on now.”

The identity of Lennon’s target remains a mystery, with the Wanderers boss playing down suggestions he could reignite his interest in fans’ favourite Adam Le Fondre from Cardiff City.

“I’m not going to talk about players who are contracted to other clubs,” he said. “Le Fondre did well last year and that’s where we are at the minute.

“He was well thought of by everyone fans and staff – but I’m not going to disrespect Cardiff by talking about one of their players whether there is interest or not.”

Such is the current financial situation that Lennon knows that any signing he makes will have to be offset by an out-going player.

“We have a set wage bill and we’re right on the cusp of that at the moment. Unless that changes, and someone goes out, then it’s difficult to bring players in,” he explained.

“That’s where we are, that’s the barometer, and that’s fine.

“I have still got some good players to come in who will improve us and make us better.”

The confirmation of Wilson’s deal should solve a long-standing problem for Lennon at right-back, while experienced front men Dobbie and Heskey give him more options in attack.

Lennon had hinted after Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Port Vale that the trio could be signed up yesterday but as The Bolton News went to press, the club had not rubber-stamped the deal.

It is also expected that an announcement will be made on young goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen – son of Wanderers legend Jussi – who has signed his first professional contract.

The 17-year-old has risen through the ranks and has already turned out for Iain Brunskill’s development squad this summer.