BEFORE battle lines were drawn in the FA Cup tonight, Wanderers managed to talk Crystal Palace round to an important agreement to help their cause in League One.

Keshi Anderson, the young Eagles striker who has struggled since his arrival in the North West, made a one-way journey back to Selhurst Park on the team bus yesterday.

His departure opens up vital space in the Whites squad to sign another player – with Phil Parkinson confirming he was already in discussion with a number of options.

Anderson had signed a season-long loan in the summer but a January break clause was exercised to enable Palace to send him back out on loan elsewhere.

It now remains to be seen whether Cardiff fulfil a similar arrangement with Wigan for Adam Le Fondre, with Bolton keeping a close eye on developments.

Parkinson agreed with Palace coach Mark Bright to cut short Anderson’s deal but admitted the 21-year-old’s time in the North West had not gone according to plan.

“It is difficult when you are up here on your own, your family are down there and you are not playing,” he told The Bolton News. “Keshi came up here from down south, started really well, but we went with a system which didn’t really suit him.

“He got in the team but we have been on a terrific run and it has been hard to get him in the side. For his development he needs to go somewhere he is going to play.

“Ultimately, his mind was elsewhere and looking where he was going to be after Christmas.

“We wish him all the best. He was fine as a lad, and we’re sure he’ll go on and do very well. But we have got to look now to find ways of freshening this squad up a bit and Keshi was one of those players we thought was not going to be needed from now until the end of the season.

“This is our opportunity to bring a player in who can make a contribution.”

Though Le Fondre’s return would be a popular one among the fans, some reservations have been addressed as to how he would fit into the system Wanderers have employed with success for much of the season.

The 30-year-old is by no means the only option, either, with Parkinson looking at a number of options for front men who could be available.

Wanderers are also looking to clear at least one more space in the squad but will be looking exclusively at loan options.

“At this stage loans are the most likely option for many clubs, not just because we’ve got an embargo,” the manager said. “Prices tend to be inflated, we don’t want to get involved in that.”