PHIL Parkinson saluted striker Christian Doidge after he saved Wanderers’ skins at Rotherham United.

Josh Magennis had missed a penalty and Bolton were heading for defeat at the New York Stadium before Doidge came off the bench to produce his first goal in club colours.

The former Forest Green front man has had to wait for an opportunity, starting just one league game since his move from League Two.

But with Parkinson shifting to a 3-5-2 for the first time this season the Wanderers boss hinted the door could now be open for his summer signing to claim a regular place in the side.

“Chris has had to be patient but he’s a great lad and we brought him in because we knew he’d work hard to improve,” he said. “The lads are absolutely delighted for him because they’ve seen how hard he works in training every day.

“He’s a number nine and when we started off this season we had in our mind that Clayton (Donaldson) and Josh (Magennis) can play wide, so he could play down the middle.

“Josh has since done well in the number nine shirt.

“We have got that option still to go 4-3-3. I don’t know if Josh and Chris are too similar to be a partnership but I think Clayton can play alongside either one of them in a 3-5-2.”

Parkinson also had words of praise for Donaldson, who was making his first league start for Wanderers since his summer move.

The experienced front man was part of a Bolton side with an average age of more than 30 – the oldest side named this season in the Championship.

Donaldson’s hard work contributed to Doidge’s winning goal and Parkinson was quick to recognise his contribution.

“Clayton was immense, he ran his socks off for the team,” he said.

“He was very unlucky not to score, ran the channels which he’s good at, and did everything you want from a striker aside from getting the goal.

“I’m really pleased for him because he’s had to wait patiently and we’ve got competition at the top end of the pitch.”