WANDERERS were last night completing the paperwork on ex-Liverpool and Bradford City defender Stephen Darby.

The right-back could make his first appearance for the Whites in tomorrow's pre-season opener against Chorley and will travel with the squad to a training camp in Scotland next week.

Darby played close to 300 games for Bradford, captaining the club during some of Phil Parkinson’s time at Valley Parade.

Wanderers had enquired about signing him in January, proposing a straight swap with striker Jamie Proctor, but were turned down.

Parkinson has maintained his interest and has been waiting to press the button on the deal for a number of weeks, only for paperwork to get in the way.

Darby cut his teeth with Liverpool and made six appearances at Anfield before a succession of loan spells, which led him to Bradford in 2012.

He helped Parkinson’s side to a League Cup final at Wembley and gain promotion to League One but fell out of favour last season under his successor Stuart McCall.

The 28-year-old had a brief taste of Premier League football during his Liverpool days but has never competed at Championship level and has seemingly been brought in as direct competition for another summer arrival, Mark Little.

Meanwhile, former Wanderers midfielder Liam Trotter has failed to secure a contract with League One Rotherham United.

Millers boss Paul Warne confirmed he had passed on offering the former Ipswich Town man a contract after inviting him in to train over the last few days.

“I had him in to look at him,” he said. “In fairness, it's difficult. Our central midfielders, Vaulks, Frecks and Potter - and Joe Newell can also play in that role - are three of my better players really. It's difficult to get in front of them and I didn't see Liam getting in front of them.

“He did well. He's trained really well. He's in good shape. He's a good man. But I didn't see him being better than what we had and I'm not going to add players just for the sake of it. I wished him all the best and he isn't training with us now.”

Wanderers’ Easter 2018 plans have been changed – with matches against Leeds United and Birmingham City now given alternate dates.

The Whites will travel to Elland Road on Good Friday, March 30 (kick-off 3pm) and will host Birmingham on Tuesday, April 3 (8pm).