PAUL Warhurst could have played his last senior game for Wanderers after joining First Division strugglers Stoke City on a month's loan.

The talented defender-cum-midfielder, whose season has been plagued by injuries, has found first team opportunities at the Reebok limited with Ivan Campo and Per Frandsen doing so well in the defensive midfield role.

Warhurst, aged 33, signed for Wanderers from Crystal Palace in a £1 million deal in December 1998 and is out of contract at the end of the season.

He said earlier this week: "I've had a talk with the manager about the situation and he has agreed to let me go out on loan, either for a month or until the end of the season.

The former Oldham, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn and Palace ace said: "I need first team football and, in the current situation at Bolton, I'm obviously not going to get straight back into the team."

Warhurst was unquestionably one of the most talented members of the Reebok squad but his appearances were limited by a succession of injury problems, typified this season when he played in the first three games before spending prolonged periods in the treatment room.