NEIL Lennon insists Wanderers’ financial issues have not come as a major surprise to him.

Cash flow problems at the Macron Stadium have ensured a frustrating summer for the Whites boss, who has added just three senior players so far to his squad.

But he remains optimistic that funds will be found to fill key positions in the coming weeks, with deals in the offing for Emile Heskey and Stephen Dobbie, and potentially ex-Charlton full-back Lawrie Wilson and Bournemouth keeper Lee Camp.

Lennon admits his exact budget has been hard to determine since the end of last season as talk of takeover and outside investment continues to swirl around the club.

It is understood there has been no progress made with outside investors since details of Wanderers’ accounts were made public by The Bolton News on July 8.

But after shedding the likes of Matt Mills, Craig Davies, Andy Lonergan, Jermaine Beckford, Adam Bogdan, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Keith Andrews and Alex Baptiste from the playing staff in the last few weeks, the Northern Irishman believes funds should still be available for him to use in the short-term.

“I knew the reality before pre-season started,” he said. “There isn’t money available at the moment. But we have cleared a huge amount of wages, so I’m hoping they find a wee bit for me.”

Wanderers released 13 players in total at the end of last season and have since moved on one big earner in Baptiste, alongside youngster Sanmi Odelusi to Wigan Athletic and Conor Wilkinson on loan to Barnsley.

The club is also in the process of allowing Rob Hall to join MK Dons on a season-long loan, although that deal had not been completed as of last night.

The lack of incoming players has caused concern among Whites fans, with Lennon admitting after Tuesday night’s win at Oldham Athletic that he faces a “big challenge” balancing the books and putting his own stamp on the Championship squad he inherited from Dougie Freedman last season.

While the one-in, one-out policy looks set to continue, Lennon is cautiously optimistic some business could soon be done to lighten the mood.

“We’re hoping a couple of things can be done soon that will enhance the squad,” he said. “It’s difficult and it doesn’t happen as quickly as some people think.”

Lennon confirmed an agreement with veteran striker Heskey was in the offing, the former England striker having trained all summer without a contract.

“He hasn’t signed yet but it’s certainly in the process,” he added. “We’re not far away with it.”