Wanderers have been frustrated in a bold bid to sign one of Scotland's most coveted young stars.

Manager Roy McFarland's search for reinforcements has taken him North of the Border with Aberdeen midfielder Eoin Jess the number one target.

Jess, who celebrated a recall to the Scotland squad for Wednesday's European Championship qualifier in Sweden, has taken the Scottish Premier League by storm after a horrendous 12-month run of injuries to send his value rocketing to £2.5 million.

Jess is the kind of class act Wanderers need in the Premiership and he is equally effective up front where he won his previous eight international caps before being successfully converted to midfield.

Wanderers, who had scouts in Scotland at the weekend, made an initial enquiry about the 24-year-old but were turned down flat by Dons boss Roy Aitken.

McFarland also enquired about the availability of Pittodrie front men Billy Dodds, Duncan Shearer and Scott Booth as he attempts to beef up the strikers department.

But none are expected to end up at Burnden with Dons chairman Ian Donald, boosted by a recent share issue which raised £2.4 million, insisting: "Eoin is not for sale at any price and neither is anyone in our first team squad."

Wanderers, who have also lost out on Dundee United's Blackburn-bound midfielder Billy McKinlay, may have more success with Motherwell's £1million-rated left back Rob McKinnon who was watched by assistant manager Colin Todd on Saturday or with Dean Windass if they decide to move for the Hull City striker who is also valued at seven figures.

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