Wanderers are confident of landing US international Tim Ream for a bargain price in the January sales.

The centre-half is being lined up as a potential replacement for Chelsea-bound Gary Cahill and has already had a one-week trial at Euxton.

But it is understood that the Whites are looking to pay less than the £2million recently reported to take the 24-year-old off New York Red Bulls’ hands.

Cahill is likely to make his last appearance for Wanderers in next weekend’s crunch clash with Wolves, with his £7m move to Stamford Bridge now very close to being rubber-stamped.

Coyle wants to add two more new faces to his squad, one of which is likely to be on loan, with Gael Kakuta – who did not make the squad against Newcastle United – returning to Chelsea.

The manager refused to discuss the Cahill deal at length after the Magpies defeat, adding only that negotiations for the England defender had been continuing this week.