Bolton Wanderers are confident closing a deal for New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream.

The Bolton News says Ream should be a Bolton Wanderers player by the end of the week.

Wanderers officials emerged from a work permit hearing in London yesterday knowing they had done enough to convince the panel that the 24-year-old New York Red Bulls central defender could both enhance Owen Coyle's squad in particular and the Premier League in general.

With the deal between the clubs already in place and personal terms with the player agreed, it is understood the loose ends of the transfer could be tied up as early as today.