WANDERERS need to fill the void left by Zach Clough and give frontline support to Gary Madine if they are to get upwardly mobile.

That's the view of ex-Wanderer Simon Charlton who believes the Whites have what it takes to get away from the wrong end of the Championship table if they can fill Clough's boots.

Charlton was in the stands at QPR on Saturday in his role as a radio summariser and was impressed with Madine's display after the striker opened the scoring with his second goal in as many games.

But he believes he needs a support act to ease the goalscoring burden while Clough is sidelined with a dislocated shoulder injury.

Charlton told The Bolton News: "I thought Gary Madine was excellent at QPR.

"He was the most influential player for Wanderers.

"It reminded me a bit of Kevin Davies – the way he gave the QPR defenders a hard time with his work-rate and physicality.

"He is a good addition to the squad but I don't think he's the answer to the lack of goals because most of his good work is done outside the box.

"He needs others to play off his knockdowns and that is where Zach Clough would benefit.

"Zach is a huge miss for Wanderers.

"He may be young but he has taken to senior football like a duck to water and his energy offers something different.

"He is out for a while and Wanderers somehow have to find a way through."

Boss Neil Lennon has been openly looking to add to his firepower and could offer ex-Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi a deal after he played in a behind-closed doors friendly on Monday.

Charlton hopes the Whites boss can bring in attacking help but appreciates the difficulty the Northern Irishman faces with top strikers unlikely to be available to a club working to a tight financial budget.

The 43-year-old added: "It has been well-documented in The Bolton News that Neil is looking to add a striker on loan.

"They had been struggling to score at the start of the season.

"But those strikers who get you 15-20 goals a season are at a premium.

"The financial clout of Premier League clubs mean they can stockpile those forwards and not let them out on loan in case they are needed down the line.

"Clubs in Wanderers' position find it difficult with the money situation well-publicised.

"Shola Ameobi is on trial and maybe he is worth a punt.

"But to score three goals away from home is a good sign."

Whoever plays up front, Charlton says Wanderers need to make more of midfield playmaker Mark Davies' creativity.

Davies, who has scooped the club's player of the month award for September ahead of Prince-Desire Gouano and Dean Moxey, is a key player in the eyes of the 43-year-old ex-Whites defender.

Charlton said: "Mark Davies is a top player and technically one of the best at this level.

"But he doesn't seem to be in a role that suits him or the team at present.

"You want Mark to be getting the ball off the back four and looking to get the attack started.

"On too many occasions that isn't happening."