WANDERERS should complete the signing of Sammy Ameobi by the end of the week.

The finishing touches were being put to the 25-year-old’s contract yesterday and a deal could be wrapped up in time for him to play some part in the friendly against Dundee on Friday evening.

Ameobi was a big hit with the Whites last season, scoring four goals in 28 games on loan from Newcastle United.

And Phil Parkinson believes he could be a difference maker in the Championship this time around.

“Sammy has got that ability to open doors for us,” he told The Bolton News. “We enjoyed working with him before on loan, he’s got a good attitude and he showed last time he wants to improve.

“We’re hoping to wrap it all up now sooner rather than later.”

Parkinson is keen to add some extra attacking bite to his squad and is in the market for two more strikers.

West Ham United’s Reece Burke and Josh Cullen have also been lined-up – but Wanderers have been told they will have to wait at least a couple of weeks before a deal can be done, as the pair are currently away with the Hammers in Austria.

Parkinson has hinted there may be more Premier League loans in the pipeline.

“We’re in dialogue with a few clubs about players on year-long loans, West Ham being one of them, and it’s no different to us – they bring the younger lads on pre-season trips because you don’t want to expose the senior players to too many minutes too early,” he said.

“Premier League club have got big squads, so they use them. It’s part and parcel of football.

“We know we have got lots of work to do on recruitment and slowly but surely we’re piece the jigsaw together.”

Parkinson says he is targeting players with a “certain character” this summer as he looks to continue last season’s success.

“Character is vital in the dressing room, on the training pitch, out there on a Saturday afternoon, and we have been searching for players we think will be good role models for us and leaders.

“We have got a big challenge in the Championship this season so we need people who will dig in and help the cause for Bolton Wanderers.”

Meanwhile, former Wanderers loanee James Henry has signed for Oxford United following his release at Wolves.