Adam Le Fondre is back in a Bolton Wanderers shirt... But it's the wrong one!

Last season’s goalscoring hero topped many a fan’s wish-list this summer but a lack of ready cash meant a return was never on the cards.

Some supporters attempted to raise money online to help fund the deal, others lobbied for the Whites to break the bank and secure his services once more. All pleas fell on deaf ears as the full extent of the financial situation began to unravel.

In mid-July Le Fondre admitted his career at Cardiff City was over, prompting unprecedented clamour for Neil Lennon to enter the bidding, but shortly after that statement was made the former Stockport County star broke Bolton hearts by signing a season-long loan with bitter rivals Wolves.

Wanderers’ subsequent scoring problems have rubbed salt into the wounds but nevertheless the popular striker should still get a warm welcome when he returns with his new club.

Arriving in January on a six-month loan from Cardiff, Le Fondre quickly settled at Wanderers and finished with eight goals from 17 appearances – an impressive tally considering the dwindling post New Year results and an ever-changing line-up.

He made no secret of the fact he would like to return to the Whites, a club based close to his North West home. But the seven-figure loan fee Cardiff demanded at the time put him well out of Lennon’s reach, much to the manager’s frustration.

At Molineux Le Fondre forms part of a dangerous front line that also includes another former Whites loanee in Benik Afobe, the former Arsenal trainee now unrecognisable from the youngster who struggled to make an impact under Owen Coyle and Dougie Freedman a few years ago.

Le Fondre has had to wait patiently for a start under Kenny Jackett, with ex-Wigan man Nouha Dicko the preferred partner for Afoce during the first month of the campaign.

But a winning goal off the bench against Charlton Athletic just before the international hiatus gave his manager a timely reminder.

“I think Le Fondre looks ready to step in the team and is a good player,” Jackett said. “I think in terms of games he is ready as well, I have no qualms with him.

“Getting a winner in the last game has helped him.

“The last week we had before the break really helped him. He did well against Barnet, his first game at Molineux in a Wolves shirt, and then the Charlton game where he came on after an hour to replace Dicko, played well, had one really good chance and obviously got the winner.

“It was a good start from Adam and I think he is ready to go.”

Despite seeing last season’s star man Bakary Sako leave for Crystal Palace on a free transfer, the Wolves attack remains one of the sharpest in the division.

But Lennon will take heart from the way his side have defended for all but 45 minutes of the campaign to date.

Dorian Dervite’s suspension means the Whites boss will have to make at least one defensive change on Saturday, although Derik Osede put forward a strong case for inclusion with an eye-catching performance in the friendly win at Motherwell.

Alongside him, newcomer Prince Desire-Gouano has been instantly embraced by the Bolton fans, who voted him their player of the month for August.

The Frenchman, on loan for the season from Atalanta, is not worried that Dervite’s absence could upset the balance in the back four, which has kept two cleans sheets in their last five games.

“It does not worry me,” he said. “This squad is filled with good players and if Dorian is suspended then another one will come into his place.

“We will train together and make sure we are ready. We are a team, altogether.”

Either side of Prince, Lennon is delighted to have solved his full-back problems, with options in both positions.

“Lawrie Wilson has been very steady for us since he came in and I think Dean Moxey is playing his best football since he came to Bolton,” he said. “We’ve been able to bring in Francesco Pisano and Jose Manuel Casado as well, which gives me a bit of depth that I haven’t had before, and I think we’ll see the benefit.”