PHIL Parkinson will go into the final day of the transfer window looking for a striker as the bare minimum – but admits he has prepared himself for missing out.

Wanderers will be looking to supplement their front line by 11pm on Thursday, looking at the very least to replace Christian Doidge, following his return to Forest Green Rovers.

An interest was lodged with Sheffield United for experienced front man Leon Clarke but Wigan Athletic have now confirmed they have beaten Bolton to the punch for the 33-year-old former Wolves front man.

Wanderers say they have other options going into the last 24 hours of the window but with finances tight, Parkinson is taking nothing for granted.

“We are looking at loans and frees at the moment. It’s such an inflated market to buy players,” he said.

“We are trying and competing. We would like a couple ideally.

“If it comes to Thursday and no-one has come into the building then we have to deal with it.

“We lost Christian Doidge this year but last year we lost Gary Madine who’d got 10 goals at this time.

“We have the bonus of the youngsters and other players ready to make contributions who haven’t played as much.”