JOSH Vela could lead a January exodus at Wanderers by joining Cardiff City for a cut price £450,000.

Neil Lennon confirmed the youngster – who has been with the Whites since the age of nine - could be on his way out of the Macron Stadium.

Russell Slade has tracked the midfielder for more than 12 months and the Bluebirds boss could now take advantage of Bolton’s precarious financial position to land his man.

“There has been an enquiry from Cardiff on Josh but whether that is confirmed or goes through, I don’t know yet,” Lennon said.

Asked whether the matter had been taken out of his hands because of the financial situation, he answered: “Yes.

It is feared that the club may have to sell more players next month with no end in sight to the financial crisis.

Though Dean Holdsworth’s Sports Shield consortium remain confident they can mount a realistic bid and complete the relevant legal paperwork in time to prevent a fire sale in January, their confidence is not shared within the walls of the Macron.

Reports yesterday claimed one of the squad’s highest earners, Dean Moxey, could be sacrificed with Wolves and Bristol City keen to take him on.

Both Vela and Mark Davies – reportedly courted by Middlesbrough – sat out against Rotherham but Lennon confirmed after the game that their absence was down to fitness issues.

“They are both injured,” he said. “Mark has a slight knee injury and Josh is suffering from the same knee injury he missed the Fulham game with.”

Vela has made 57 appearances for Wanderers since breaking into the team in the final Premier League season in 2012 under Owen Coyle.

His only goal came in his last appearance at Charlton Athletic.