WANDERERS are ready to disappoint rivals Blackburn by making Alex Baptiste report back for pre-season training this summer.

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer had hoped to agree a deal with the Whites to keep hold of the versatile defender, who proved a big hit at Ewood Park this season.

Baptiste has one year left on his contract with the Whites but has hinted on several occasions during his loan spell he would prefer to stay put down the road.

However, Neil Lennon refuses to write off the money invested in the 29-year-old, who was signed on a free transfer from Blackpool in May 2013 by his predecessor Dougie Freedman.

“I haven't had chance to work with Alex yet,” he told The Bolton News. “He certainly will be here pre-season because he is our player.

“I want to have a good look at him because I have been impressed with what I've seen of him when I’ve watched Blackburn play this season. I think he could do a job for us but we won’t really know until we take a closer look.”

Bowyer said earlier this month that he would “love to keep” Baptiste but has his hands tied to an extent with the club currently under a transfer embargo.

Under FFP regulations he would be allowed to return to Blackburn on the same deal because he was already in the squad when the punishments were enforced.

But Lennon has the final say and after confirming he will conduct a thorough review of his defence in the summer, Baptiste could prove to be a cheap alternative to a new signing.

The fact Baptiste can play either full-back or centre-half could work in his favour as Lennon looks for more variation on the 3-5-2 system he has used extensively since the turn of the New Year.

“Whether Baptiste is a right back or centre-half, it doesn't really matter,” he said. “We will bring him in and have a look at him before we make a decision.

“I do need options. We have been playing a back three because we haven’t had a bona fide right-back for the majority of the season. It is unfair to keep asking Josh Vela to play in that position. He is a far better midfield player.

“I don’t want to be in that position again next season.”