WANDERERS have blown the door wide open for a new striker after sending star man Jermaine Beckford packing to Preston North End.

Neil Lennon stunned Whites fans yesterday by sending the 30-year-old out on loan to League One Preston North End for the rest of the season.

Beckford is in the final year of his contract at Bolton, and now looks to have played his last game for the club after it was confirmed a short-term arrangement would be extended in January to include any potential play-off games.

But his departure raises major speculation over his replacement, and hopes of a deal for Eidur Gudjohnsen, who has been training with the club for the last couple of weeks.

Gary Hooper would be another ready-made target for Lennon, who has earmarked the Norwich City striker as a potential since the moment he took charge.

Although Beckford has failed to find any scoring form this season, the shock of his departure yesterday was felt around the town.

Signed by Dougie Freedman from Leicester City in the summer of 2013 as a player capable of firing Wanderers towards promotion the former Everton and Leeds front man failed to live up to his billing despite leading the club’s scoring charts with nine goals in his debut campaign.

Beckford’s frustration grew this season because of a lack of first-team chances, and his only senior goals came against Crewe in the Capital One Cup.

His popularity with Whites supporters took a sharp nosedive after he saluted fans of his former club Leeds United during and after a 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.

Lennon’s arrival looked to be Beckford’s salvation, with the former Celtic boss admitting he had tried to sign the striker at Parkhead. But despite giving him four consecutive starts against Birmingham, Brentford, Charlton and Norwich he once again drew a blank.

The emergence of Craig Davies and Max Clayton will also have made the decision to let Beckford leave a little easier.

Beckford said he was looking forward to working with Simon Grayson, whom he played under at Leeds and will be in contention for the Lillywhites’ trip to league leaders Bristol City tomorrow.

“We’ve built up a great relationship and I’m looking forward to starting again, getting back out there and enjoying myself,” he told Preston’s website.

“The boys at Bolton were quality players and I felt like I’ve learned a lot from them.

“Both Craig Davies and Andy Lonergan had nothing but good things to say about the club.”