ALEX Bruce should learn his fate at Wanderers today.

Players return to training to prepare for the weekend friendly against Stoke City, with the former Hull City and Ipswich Town defender still waiting to see whether he has earned a permanent contract.

Bruce has spent the last couple of weeks on trial with the Whites, and featured in two goalless draws against AFC Fylde and Stockport County.

The 32-year-old has impressed assistant boss Steve Parkin since arriving in the camp a fortnight ago – but he says the final decision will be made by Phil Parkinson.

“He’ll have a chat with Alex at some point on Thursday,” he told The Bolton News. “He has been great around the place, has a terrific attitude and obviously is a very experienced player with 300-odd games in the Championship and the Premiership.

“I’m sure Phil will have a good think about it and then sit Alex down for a chat.”

Wanderers had a raft of other trialists at the Stockport game, including ex-Basingstoke Town twins Rob and Michael Atkinson, Metz winger Zachary Hadji, former Fulham and Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Wright and Liam Edwards, a centre-half who played for Stoke City’s under-23s last season.