KIERAN Lee has been all but ruled out of Wanderers' game at Tranmere Rovers on Saturday with a muscle injury.

The midfielder only joined Bolton earlier this month, making his debut in the 1-1 draw with Exeter City having been a free agent since leaving Sheffield Wednesday last summer.  

But he went off at half-time of Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Cheltenham Town.

Wanderers manager Ian Evatt is not expecting Lee to be sidelined for long but confirmed it is unlikely the 32-year-old would be fit to face Tranmere.

"Unfortunately he's got just a slight bit of damage to his muscle fascia tissue, not the muscle itself, which will probably keep him out of Saturday but not keep him out for much longer than that,” the Whites boss said.

Declan John is closing in on his first Wanderers appearance though having been unavailable since joining on loan from Swansea City due to a hamstring injury picked up in training.

"Declan John is back running so he's going to add lots of quality to us,” Evatt added. “He'll be back at some point next week."

In other positive news striker Shaun Miller is ahead of schedule with his recovery from a thigh injury.

“Shaun Miller’s doing really well," Evatt said. "His fitness is coming on leaps and bounds. He will join back in with the group at some point next week."