Bolton Wanderers could have new players on view by the time they host Huddersfield Town next Saturday.

Manager Neil Lennon has freed up squad space by sending former Town loan star Jermaine Beckford to Preston North End.

The 30-year-old, who scored nine goals in 22 games and helped keep Town in the Championship in 2012-13, is set to stay at Deepdale for the season.

The clubs have said the initial short-term agreement will be extended in January.

The ex-Leeds United and Everton striker’s Bolton contract, signed when he moved from Leicester City in July 2013, expires next summer.

Although Beckford has failed to find any scoring form this season, his departure has surprised supporters.

Signed by Dougie Freedman, who hoped he would fire Wanderers towards promotion, Beckford failed to live up to his billing despite leading the club’s scoring chart with nine last season.

Lennon’s arrival looked to be Beckford’s salvation, with the former Celtic boss admitting he had tried to sign the striker at Parkhead.

But despite giving him four consecutive starts, he once again drew a blank.

The emergence of frontmen Craig Davies and Max Clayton will have made the decision to let Beckford leave a little easier.

Bolton, who are 21st in the Championship ahead of their trip to Blackpool, have been linked with old boy Eidur Gudjohnsen, now 36, and ex-Celtic star Gary Hooper.

They will head to Bloomfield Road without midfielder Mark Davies, who will be out for four months because of a knee injury which needs surgery.

“It’s a hammer blow for us,” said Lennon of the former Wolves player.

“We don’t know the rhyme or reason for it.

“He came in and looked brilliant in training on Monday.

“On Tuesday his knee had swollen a little bit but the next day he felt he could carry on.

“We took him for a precautionary scan and then for a second opinion but the result was the same, he needs surgery.

“It’s a big blow for the player first and foremost and we don’t understand why this complication has occurred.”