Wanderers today made their first signing of the season when they secured Anthony Barness until 2005.

The out-of-contract defender wasted no time in extending his three-year Reebok career.

It is an instant boost for Wanderers. who have set a target to put at least eight players on contract during the summer.

Barness, aged 30, is one of five players whose current deals expire at the end of next month and deals are on the table for some, if not all, of the others, Mike Whitlow, Kevin Poole, Paul Warhurst and Jeff Smith.

Last season's loan stars Ivan Campo, Bernard Mendy and Florent Laville are also high priorities and manager Sam Allardyce has a secret dossier of players he feels could strengthen the side.

Allardyce has admitted showing an interest in Greek midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos and he has also been linked with Rangers' left back Arther Numan.

More names will follow with Southampton's Kevin Davies today's subject of unfounded speculation but fans would be advised to take these reports with a pinch of salt unless Allardyce confirms otherwise.

A club spokesman said: "It is club policy not to comment on transfer speculation. The manager is aware of the players he would like to bring in but will keep his options to himself."