WANDERERS’ search for a left-back looks to have led them in the direction of Hull City’s Brandon Fleming.

Keith Hill has been looking for cover as he waits for Joe Bunney to get back to full fitness following injuries sustained in a car accident at the start of September.

It is believed Bunney has returned to the training ground but no exact timeframe has been set on his return, leaving the club to look for options in the meantime.

Fleming has impressed at his hometown club since making his first team debut in the Carabao Cup in 2017 and earned an extended contract at the start of this season.

Grant McCann has senior options in Callum Elder and Stephen Kingsley, so has been looking to loan the 20-year-old out for the second half of the campaign. The Tigers boss told BBC Radio Humberside the youngster has a first team future at the KCOM Stadium but that a spell at Bolton would "boost his experience."

The deal has not yet been confirmed by either club but it looks likely the defender will be available for Wanderers for this weekend's home game against Portsmouth.

Fleming had made his way through the Hull City academy and now has 18 first team games under his belt, including four this season in the Championship. He also had a loan spell at Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity.

Bolton’s need for a left-back has been well publicised this week following the decision not to renew Adam Chicksen’s contract and Josh Earl’s return to Preston North End.

Earl has since signed on loan for Ipswich Town and was on the bench for Paul Lambert’s side as they drew 0-0 with Oxford United on Tuesday night.

“As soon as I heard Ipswich wanted me that was it,” he said at the weekend.

“They are pushing for the automatic promotion places and it looks an exciting club to be part of so it was an easy decision.

“There are good players here and the target is obviously to get back in the Championship. It’s a challenge I want to be part of, an exciting challenge and that was key to me really. It’s a great move for me.

“The games come thick and fast and I’m here to play my part. It’s up to me to get a place in the team and hold on to the shirt.”