WANDERERS were last night playing hardball in an effort to land a striker before the transfer window closes at 5pm today.

Ken Anderson confirmed yesterday he had issued a deadline to two clubs on bids for two different strikers, one of which is understood to be Ipswich’s Joe Garner.

If the Bolton chairman felt by close of business the deals were not progressing reasonably it is understood he could shift his focus to two entirely different targets.

Wanderers fans will be watching the clock today to see if the club can capture a second cash signing of the window, after the £200,000 arrival of Josh Magennis.

Anderson admits the truncated window has made it more difficult to get value for money – but he believes that will change once the permanent window closes.

“Lots of clubs seem to be chasing the same players,” he told The Bolton News. “You can see how hard it has been for Ipswich Town to bring in Kayden Jackson from Accrington.

“I think by shortening the transfer window it has made it more difficult for clubs to get the targets they want.

“The prices have been inflated but I think if the deals do not materialise by 5pm tomorrow then there will be a number of players they will be looking to loan out, with a deal to be done in January, perhaps.”

Wanderers currently have just one player on loan – Yanic Wildschut – and could fill two more of the gaps with Birmingham City duo David Stockdale and Jonathan Grounds.

Both players have fallen out of favour with Garry Monk at St Andrew’s, and with the club looking to trim its budget to fall in line with FFP regulations they are likely to be shipped out before the end of the month.

Wanderers are also understood to have asked about Aston Villa keeper Jed Steer as a possible alternative to Stockdale.

They have been unsuccessful, however, in an effort to bring Everton youngster Callum Connelly on loan. The 20-year-old is on the verge of signing for Wigan Athletic, following his former Goodison team-mate Antonee Robinson.