WANDERERS new boy Adam Armstrong has been given the official seal of approval by his former skipper at Coventry City.

Ex-Whites star Sam Ricketts believes his former club has done a sterling bit of business bringing the Newcastle United striker in on loan until January.

Phil Parkinson beat off competition from a number of Championship clubs, including Preston and Brentford, to capture the 20-year-old’s services.

Ricketts knows Armstrong well and played alongside him as he scored 20 goals at the Rioch Arena two seasons ago. The ex-Wales international thinks he is ready to do the same at Championship level and reckons Parkinson has pulled off a coup.

“I think it’s a really good signing,” he told The Bolton News. “Adam is definitely capable of scoring plenty of goals in that division if he can get a run of games and get that confidence going.

“He played at Barnsley last season and seemed to do okay. I don’t think he really got the chances to show what he can do, or a run in the team in a position he was comfortable in.

“I think another year older and wiser he could be a great coup for Bolton.”

Armstrong made 22 starts at Oakwell last season and a further 13 appearances from the bench, finishing up with six goals. Much of his time on the pitch was spent as a lone striker – but Ricketts believes he could add a different dimension to the Bolton team he watched in League One last season.

“I don’t think he’ll win you too many headers,” he said. “He certainly isn’t that type of player. But he is quick, he is powerful and he’s willing to take players on and commit them.

“He isn’t one of those who will dribble past people with step-overs and skills but he can move the ball so quickly and get a shot off with either foot.. He’s very tough to deal with as a defender and a good lad too.”

Ricketts played 114 games for Wanderers after signing for £2.3million from Hull City in 2009 and earned 52 caps for his country.

He hung up his boots last season because of a knee injury and has now started on his coaching badges, working with Wolves this season.

Meanwhile, tickets for the opening game of the season against Leeds United have now gone on sale, with adults from £30, Over-65s/Under-23s £24, Under-18s: £12 and Under-12s £10.

Tickets for the Stoke City friendly on July 29 are also available at £10, £5 concessions.