NEIL Lennon insists Wanderers can cope with the exit of Tim Ream to QPR.

The American defender – two-time player of the year for the Whites – was last night on the verge of a £1.75million move to Loftus Road.

The deal could eventually rise to £2m with add-ons, and Lennon is already looking to invest some of the cash into two new signings, who could be in place by tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Italian defender Francesco Pisano is expected to join on a free transfer, while Lennon is also looking to add an attacking player to his ranks.

The prospect of bolstering his squad has offset some of the disappointment of losing Ream, with Lennon adamant the transfer would not have gone through without his blessing.

“There are two decisions to make – a footballing decision and a financial decision, and this works for both,” he told The Bolton News.

“We think it’s good for the club, good for the squad, or otherwise we wouldn’t be making this decision at the moment.

“I want one, maybe two, in for the game on Saturday. It’s never easy losing one of your better players but I want to balance the squad better and this gives me that opportunity.

“We have brought some good players in defensively and I’d like to bring in one more. I also think we’re short in the attacking areas, we need a bit of pace and creativity and we’ll be looking to bring a player of that ilk in.”

Lennon has cast huge doubt on the possibility of signing Norwich City striker Gary Hooper, with the Canaries still looking to sell the former Celtic man outright in this transfer window.

“I’d imagine Gary would be beyond our financial capability right now,” he said.

“He’s a player I admire a lot but it hasn’t come up in conversation.

“I’d imagine they want a fee for him – but if not, a loan with a loan fee involved. Either way, it would rule us out.”

Fulham had a bid turned down for Ream earlier in the week but their West London rivals QPR finally struck the magic number with their fifth offer late on Wednesday night.

The US international travelled to the capital yesterday to finalise the deal – and although sources close to the player were refusing to rule out another late bid from Fulham, it is expected he will be announced by QPR today.