Bolton marked their return to the Championship by acquiring loan man Adam Le Fondre on a free transfer from Championship rivals Cardiff City, and boss Phil Parkinson will hope the 30-year-old can lead his side to safety next season.

Le Fondre has enjoyed a number of prolific spells in his career, and banged the goals in for clubs including Reading, Rotherham and Rochdale since making his senior debut for Stockport County in 2004.

The goals have started to dry up a little in the last couple of years, but the marksman began to find his feet again in League One with the Trotters last season on which he scored six goals in 15 league outings.

Bolton have taken a punt on the player and signed him on a full time basis, and if Le Fondre can reach the heights he previously hit in the division and above, then the Trotters could easily escape the dreaded drop.

Le Fondre is a natural goalscorer who thrives from excellent service, and Parkinson clearly believes the striker is still capable of producing the goods at Championship level, despite struggling during spells with Cardiff, Wolves and Wigan in the division.

Le Fondre looked settled at the Macron following a difficult spell in south Wales, and now a permanent home has been found, the striker may find his feet once again.

Parkinson and Bolton fans will know they have a fantastic striker on their hands, and will place great faith in the player delivering the goods.

With Will Buckley signed and set to lay on the goals for Le Fondre next season, the pair could develop a deadly partnership in the north west in the coming months.