Parkinson says new boy Karl Henry can add missing spark to Bolton Wanderers

The 34-year-old midfielder was plunged straight into action at Bristol City on Tuesday night with little preparation and impressed his new manager despite the 2-0 defeat at Ashton Gate.

Henry had not played a competitive game in the calendar year and had been searching for a new club since leaving QPR in the summer.

But Parkinson believes the former Wolves and Stoke City ball-winner could make all the difference to his struggling team in the coming weeks.

“I’m absolutely delighted with Karl Henry, he’s everything we’d want in that midfield,” he told The Bolton News. “When I met him for the first time I asked if he could give me 60 minutes, and he said ‘no problem’.

“I’d spoken to Tony Pulis and he said ‘just sign him, he’s a leader, he’s the right character.’ And I think he’s got that nous in the middle of the pitch, to boss people around and keep some of the younger lads in check. I thought he was outstanding.

“We had to throw him in, he’s played 11 v 10 and he barely broke a sweat. He looks in great nick and that’s a credit to him. The number of times in football now you bring in players who are out of contract who are a million miles off the pace is incredible – and they are trying to convince you they deserve a contract.

“But Karl is experienced, he’s an excellent professional and he’s worked very hard, hence he’s been able to hit the ground running.”

Henry – who has close to 500 career appearances - had trained with West Brom for the last five weeks and only met his new team-mates at the training ground on Monday.

Trialist Joey O’Brien will continue to train with the squad for the foreseeable but Parkinson said Henry’s readiness to step straight in for a Championship fixture was the reason he was quick to offer him a contract.

“It was key we got a player who’s been training,” he said. “We haven’t got time to wait for three or four weeks because we’ve got players who’ll come back by the time that happens.”