WANDERERS could complete a loan deal for Crystal Palace centre-half Paddy McCarthy after adding Giles Coke to their ranks yesterday.

Neil Lennon has moved for the 31-year-old Dubliner after losing David Wheater for two months with a hamstring injury.

McCarthy was a long-time target of former boss Dougie Freedman after battling back from serious injury at the start of this season to return to the Eagles’ first team.

The former Manchester City youth had captained Palace under Freedman before their promotion in 2013 but missed over a year of action after groin surgery.

He got back on track, however, with a loan spell at Sheffield United and could now be available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

Midfielder Coke has signed until the end of the season from Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Motherwell playmaker, who also spent time on loan at Bury, has played 16 times for the Owls this season, scoring the winner against Brighton on the opening day.

Coke, who began his career at non-league Kingstonian before moving through the leagues with Mansfield Town, Swindon Town and Northampton Town, can play centrally or on the right side of midfield.

He ironically lost his place at Hillsborough after the Owls beat Wanderers to the loan signing of Lewis Baker in January, but is also behind Sam Hutchinson in Stuart Gray’s reckoning.

It is understood Lennon has also run the rule over a young Premier League striker and could bring him to the club on loan if finances allow.