WANDERERS have moved to snap up free agent Lloyd Dyer after receiving the news Sammy Ameobi will be out of action for another six weeks.

Phil Parkinson acted quickly to sign the 36-year-old free agent on a short-term deal yesterday as the club learned the ankle ligament damage sustained by Ameobi against QPR earlier this month was significantly worse than first feared.

Dyer has been looking for a route back into the Championship after turning down a contract with relegated Burton Albion in the summer. It is believed his contract will be reviewed in January.

Phil Parkinson also hinted that the former Leicester City and Watford man’s arrival could mean a change in system for Wanderers, who host Derby County at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday.

“With Sammy’s injury lay off being longer than we first anticipated, it was important that we have more options,” he said.

“Lloyd’s experience of playing as a left wing back will give us more cover if we decide to play with a back three.”

Wanderers fans may be glad to have Dyer on board, given his excellent unbeaten record against their club. Dyer has won seven and drawn one of his eight starts, scoring four goals in opposition colours - including one in December for Burton in a 1-0 victory.

The winger has 523 career appearances and 75 goals under his belt, with Bolton becoming his 11th professional club.

He has twice been offered the chance to sign for Wanderers previously, during the reigns of Neil Lennon and Dougie Freedman.

Ameobi had initially been forecast to miss a month of action after he limped out of the 2-1 defeat against QPR.

He is now unlikely to return before the start of November, which takes in at least six games.

Meanwhile, former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has been working with League One Rochdale’s Under-16s as he bids to pass his UEFA Pro Licence and move into coaching.