WANDERERS’ game-plan for tonight’s clash with Bristol City was ripped up and rewritten after deadline day’s mad dash.

On Monday, Phil Parkinson brought his players into the training ground for a practice game to blow away some of the cobwebs, and lay down some early shape work for the Robins’ visit.

But 48 hours later, the sale of Gary Madine, four incoming loan players and injuries to David Wheater and Aaron Wilbraham meant Parkinson was treading a well-worn path back to the drawing board.

“How many did I get in the end?” laughed Parkinson, when asked how many of his new signings were in line to be thrown straight into the televised clash.

“I’d imagine one or two will have to come straight in. I have to pick a team first but we won’t have lots of time to change the way we play.

“Timing is difficult. Going forward we have played with a focal point at the top of the pitch. You look at Chelsea with Costa and Morata, United have done the same; we all like the number nine with physicality up there. If we don’t replace that, we will have to find another way of winning games.”

Wanderers added four loan players to the two – Antonee Robinson and Harry Charsley – they already had in the squad, which presents its own challenge.

Only five are allowed to be named in a match-day squad, although that problem is only likely to apply when some of the new arrivals get up to speed.

“It’s difficult because players come in with different levels of match fitness,” he said of the prospect on integrating new players into his line-up. “Zach [Clough], for example, came in like a breath of fresh air because he has a real passion for Bolton and we’re pleased to have him back.

“He’s looking to get himself going again. He plays with hunger and passion for the club which is always good. Others might need a bit of time to get going again.”

After a head-spinning deadline day, Parkinson sought the help of his trusted backroom staff to decide Wanderers’ next move over a glass of wine at the Whites Hotel.

“The staff have been outstanding in terms of the support I get off them, and we got together last night, late on, after the window, had a drink and a chat about what team we were going to pick first of all, because we’d not had a chance to think of that,” he said.