MARK Beevers could be playing against Wanderers in League One next season, with a move to Peterborough United thought to be on the verge of being announced.

Sources at London Road claim a mystery defensive signing touted by Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony in the last few weeks is the 29-year-old centre-back, who is out of contract this summer.

Beevers has been linked with Scottish giants Rangers and teams in MLS as his deal at the University of Bolton Stadium ran down.

But with Posh looking to invest in players who can push them towards automatic promotion next season, the former Sheffield Wednesday defender - who helped Phil Parkinson's Bolton to Championship promotion in 2016/17 - ticks all the boxes.

Beevers turned down a new contract at Millwall and a move to Barnsley to link-up with Wanderers in the summer of 2016, becoming one of Parkinson's first new signings.

He quickly formed a defensive partnership with David Wheater, keeping 20 clean sheets in the promotion season and scoring seven times as the Whites developed a fearsome reputation at set pieces.

A return to the second tier was less successful, however, and despite making 47 appearances in the 2017/18 campaign, he struggled for consistency.

Beevers signed a one-year contract extension last summer but his place in the side was initially put under pressure after the arrival of Jack Hobbs and Marc Wilson.

The defender managed four goals in a 14-game spell either side of Christmas, including one against his old employers Millwall at The Den but with Parkinson rotating his defenders and formations regularly, he did not completely regain first choice status until February.

His importance to the side is perhaps reflected in the fact Bolton won just one game out of 15 without him in the starting line-up.

The effectiveness of his partnership with Wheater is even more conclusive, with Wanderers winning seven of the 22 games they both started on the pitch, the team taking 25 out of a possible 66 points.