WANDERERS are looking to act quickly after missing out on full-back Jon Flanagan to Rangers.

Phil Parkinson had hoped to speak with the former Liverpool and England defender, who spent three months on loan at the Macron Stadium last season.

A move to Rangers had been mooted from the moment Flanagan was released at Anfield, given Reds legend Steven Gerrard has just taken over the manager’s hotseat at Ibrox.

But Wanderers kept a watching brief on the 25-year-old’s situation in case they got the opportunity to bring him back on a permanent basis.

Now that Flanagan has signed a two-year deal in Glasgow, Parkinson is understood to be in a good position to move on a different defensive target.

The Wanderes boss is keen to step-up his transfer business next week when key staff will be back in the building after holidays.

The going has been relatively slow thus far with two new signings announced - Jason Lowe and Erhun Oztumer - but sources at the Macron insist there has been plenty of work going on behind the scenes to progress deals, with more signings in the offing.

Furthermore there have been firm denials on some of the names who have been linked with moves to the Macron in the last couple of days, including Barnsley striker Tom Bradshaw and Peterborough United captain Jack Baldwin.

Around a dozen senior players will return for fitness testing at the start of next week, with trialists also expected once training gets into full swing.

One of the players who has been offered a chance to come into Lostock and prove his fitness is former Republic of Ireland international midfielder Stephen Ireland. But reports suggest one of the 31-year-old’s former clubs, Aston Villa, could also have offered him a similar opportunity after leaving Stoke City.

It also remains to be seen whether Sammy Ameobi rejoins the squad next week after talks continued yesterday between Wanderers and the 26-year-old winger’s representatives.