WANDERERS are close to pulling off the double signing of highly-rated striker Max Clayton and veteran keeper Paddy Kenny.

Dougie Freedman has negotiated an incentive-based deal for Crewe striker Clayton after the League One club looked set to lose him for a pittance to Danish outfit FC Midtjylland.

The 20-year-old had been offered a new contract by the Railwaymen, who were holding out for £1million if he signed for another English club.

But The Bolton News understands that the contract he signs with Wanderers includes hefty sell-on fees, which could benefit Crewe in the long-run.

England youth international Clayton had trained with the club before looking into a move to Denmark and has also had spells at Sunderland and Everton.

Injury to Adam Bogdan has also forced Freedman into signing a stop-gap goalkeeper in the form of ex-Sheffield United and Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny.

The 36-year-old had his contract paid up at Elland Road in the summer and arrives on a short-term deal to provide cover for Andy Lonergan, who came in to keep the club’s first clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Kenny played in the North West for Bury between 1998 and 2002, making 133 appearances for the Shakers and helping them into the second tier.