PHIL Parkinson admits he may have to be patient before unleashing new signing Reece Wabara back on to League One.

The full-back was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season as he helped Wigan Athletic back into the Championship but has surprisingly failed to fix himself up with a new club after leaving the Latics in June.

Trials with Leeds United and Bristol City came to nothing, as did a much-mooted return to the DW Stadium but the time out of the spotlight has meant the 25-year-old is now playing catch-up.

Wabara played 65 minutes for the development squad on Monday night but is not expected to be part of the first team for this weekend’s trip to Sheffield United.

Explaining the defender’s search for a club, Parkinson feels the former Manchester City trainee could be worth the wait.

“It is maybe surprising he didn’t get fixed up but I think he got to the summer and the deals he wanted didn’t fall into place,” he told The Bolton News.

“Sometimes that happens and you end up being a little bit de-conditioned.

“He seems to have got a real hunger back to get going again and that could be a big thing for us.

“He is going to take a while to get up to speed but in terms of the very, very small pool of players who were available – Reece was head and shoulders above them.

“I think he’s a good signing, a good age and a good lad too – but we will have to be patient.”

Everything Wabara touched last season turned to promotion and he is hoping to have the same effect after signing a deal at the Macron Stadium until the end of the season.

“I was at Barnsley last year and they go promoted, I was also at Wigan and transferred halfway through the season and they got promoted,” he said.

“I was in team of the year as well, so I’d like to say I know this league rather well.

“Hopefully I can add to what Bolton already has and aid the team. I’m delighted to be here, it’s another opportunity to get a promotion and to get back playing is key, really.

“I’ve been at the local gym, jogging, but since I came in here I’ve really been able to step it up.

“I’ve been working extremely hard to get back to optimal condition as fast as I possibly can.”

Coming to the Macron represents a full circle for Wabara’s professional football career. In 2011 he made his first-ever senior appearance for City, as a late substitute for Pablo Zabaleta.

“I made my Premier League debut here, I was 19, so it’s a fair few years ago now. Maybe it’s fate,” the full-back said.

“It’s a sleeping giant of a club and it deserves to be in the Championship, if not further up.

“The manager has done a great job with the circumstances that are going on and the players are focussed on the task ahead.

“I just want to add to what they already have.”

Wanderers were left without a recognised senior right-back when Lawrie Wilson tore his hamstring tendon in the recent draw at MK Dons.

They have since shifted to a 3-5-2 system but Parkinson does not want to limit his tactical options and scoured Europe-wide for a player who could fill the position and offer scope for a future deal.

Wabara also revealed that he might have ended up at Bolton back in the summer after talks with the manager.

“I did meet him at the start of the season when I was at Wigan but for whatever reason it didn’t happen,” he explained in an interview with the club. “We have kept in contact and he gave me the call last week. I’m thankful for that opportunity.

“There’s no reason why the club can’t win this league. There are 15 games left, so it can happen. We just need to be on the same path, work hard and get top spot.”