NEIL Lennon has made a plea for reinforcements in order to keep up Wanderers’ play-off charge.

It is understood the Whites boss wants four signings in the January window to strengthen his defence and attack.

And Manchester United youngster Nick Powell could be the first man through the door, with reports suggesting he could make a loan move to the Macron Stadium.

The 20-year-old has failed to find regular football in a spell with Leicester City, who ripped up his loan contract on Friday.

United want to send the former Crewe youngster straight back out to the Championship, and Lennon is believed to be first in line for his services.

Speaking after yesterday’s 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield, the Northern Irishman outlined his need for signings in the next few weeks.

“We really need some bodies in now, we really are very, very short. January is going to be important if we’re going to keep this up,” he said.

“The lines of communication between myself and the chairman will be open for the next four weeks. I’m hoping it will be busy with people coming in and not too many going out.

“We need some strength in depth now because we’re down to kids.”

Powell has made a handful of appearances for United but spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he scored against Wanderers in a 3-2 win at the DW Stadium last December and grabbed a late equaliser in the return game in March.

He scored nine times for the Latics but failed to make an impression for newly-promoted Leicester, making only four appearances under Nigel Pearson, with rumours of a fall-out between him and the Foxes boss.

Powell – signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Crewe for £4million two years ago– is able to play up front or in midfield, so would fit into Lennon’s system perfectly and give him cover for Chung-Yong Lee, who will be away for most of January at the Asia Cup.

Wanderers have also made an enquiry about Celtic striker Kris Commons, who is out of contract at the end of the season. The SPL club could look to cash in on the 31-year-old, who wants a longer deal than the one currently being offered to him.