WANDERERS are close to completing their first signing of the summer in the shape of ex-Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine.

Neil Lennon looks to have landed the 24-year-old ahead of Championship rivals Birmingham City but The Bolton News understands there are still a few details to be ironed out, and no deal will be announced until next month when his deal at Hillsborough expires.

Madine has been with the Owls for four-and-a-half years but spent most of last season out on loan at Coventry City and Blackpool, finishing the campaign with eight goals in 41 appearances.

The powerful front man is seen as the perfect replacement for the outgoing Craig Davies, who was one of 13 players shown the door at the Macron Stadium last week.

But it is fair to say his signing does come with a certain amount of baggage, with the Gateshead-born player having served five months of an 18-month jail sentence handed out in October 2013.

Gateshead-born Madine started his football career with Carlisle United and was given community service after being found guilty of ABH in 2010.

He moved to Sheffield Wednesday a year later and enjoyed his most prolific spell under ex-Wanderers manager Gary Megson.

He hit the headlines for the wrong reasons again after being found guilty of two separate attacks near a Sheffield nightclub, which resulted in a jail sentence.

He rejoined the Owls' first-team squad in February 2014, with then-chairman Milan Mandaric saying the striker would be given the club’s full support to rehabilitate. Since then Madine has worked hard to get his career back on track, prompting Lennon to take a gamble this summer.

The Whites boss has been searching for striker options but is still operating within a stringent budget despite continual rumours about outside investment from abroad.

It is hoped the signing of Madine will trigger others, however, with two full-backs, another striker and a centre-half believed to be the priority positions at present.

A goalkeeper could also be added to that list should Adam Bogdan reject the chance to extend his stay with Wanderers.

The Hungary international has been offered a new contract, described by Lennon as a “very good offer” but his representatives have put feelers out in the Premier League and Bundesliga to try and encourage a buyer.

Sources in the East Midlands suggest ex-Whites boss Dougie Freedman has made contact about a potential deal for Nottingham Forest but was knocked back.

They also claim Andy Lonergan – another player who will be released by Wanderers next month – could now be a target.