WANDERERS are close to signing former Sunderland and Brighton winger Will Buckley.

Phil Parkinson brought the 27-year-old in for a medical yesterday after beating off competition from three other Championship clubs.

The Whites boss believes he can revive Buckley’s career after three disappointing years at the Stadium of Light, which saw him make just 24 appearances.

The Oldham-born midfielder also spent periods on loan with Leeds United, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday and did not feature at all under David Moyes as the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Buckley, who will sign a two-year deal, has vast experience in the Championship and spent three profitable years at Brighton – reserving some of his very best performances for games involving the Whites.

If his move is rubber stamped by the end of today, as expected, the former Rochdale star will have come a full circle having been rejected by Bolton as a 15-year-old following a month-long trial.

Buckley fits in well with the ‘hungry’ profile Wanderers have looked for in their summer dealings so far – and like many others in the squad, he has something to prove at this level of football.

Parkinson is convinced Buckley can rediscover his top form with regular game time but, intriguingly, is looking to further strengthen his options out wide with another prize signing.

The Wanderers boss has not given up on signing free agent Sammy Ameobi and it is understood encouraging talks have been held with his representatives recently.

Ameobi left his boyhood club Newcastle United in the summer after nearly a decade and has been offered some lucrative opportunities to play abroad next season.

But while the 25-year-old appeared to be well out of Wanderers’ price range earlier in the summer as they looked to curb costs and bring down their wage bill, The Bolton News understands the move could now be back on the cards.

Wanderers also hope to wrap up the loan signing of Reece Burke from West Ham, followed by his team-mate Josh Cullen, and could have both deals done by next week.