WANDERERS are confident that one of their top summer transfer targets has come back on to their radar.

Ian Evatt has identified the man he wants to bolster his attack and hinted that a move could be in the offing “pretty quickly” during his pre-MK Dons press conference this afternoon.

The Bolton boss has found himself a man down since Xavier Amaechi fractured his metatarsal against Preston North End and is understood to have already seen the potential signing at close quarters at Lostock.

It now remains to be seen whether the Whites can get the deal over the line in time for the season curtain raiser on Saturday.

Evatt does not want the identity of the player to be disclosed but told The Bolton News that he was optimistic that a ninth season of the summer could soon be completed.

“We have worked tirelessly all pre-season and we were unfortunate with that Xav injury,” he said. “We have now highlighted at least one and we’re working hard to make that happen.

“Funnily enough he was one of our primary targets and we didn’t think we could afford him but things have come back around. You will hear something pretty quickly.

“Sharon and the rest of the board have been absolutely magnificent with their support and backing, so hopefully things will progress and fans will be very happy with what we are doing.”

Wanderers will be looking to kick off life back in League One with a win but face a few selection issues as key players like Ricardo Santos, Matt Gilks, Kieran Lee and Eoin Doyle fight their way back to full fitness.

A healthy crowd of around 15,000 is expected at the UniBol for what is the first competitive game played at the stadium since February 29, 2020.

And though the Dons go into the game without a manager after the shock departure of Russell Martin last week, Evatt is not underestimating the quality of player his opponents have brought aboard this summer.

“We want to start fast and we want to start well, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “This is a difficult game for both teams.

“MK Dons have some very talented players, they’ve recruited heavily in the summer, especially at the top end of the pitch, and it’s going to be a test.

“But we have to be ready for it and we have to concentrate on own own roles and responsibilities and just do us really and concentrate on what we bring to the table.

“I’ve said many times, I believe that if we can play to our levels and the levels I think we’re capable of getting to, then we’re more than a match for most teams.

“I think it’ll be a really good game. I think it’ll be a tactical contest. I think two teams that will try and be possession based, though we both can’t dominate the ball, so that’s going to be an interesting battle and we’ll see, we have to adapt and overcome.”