Bolton Wanderers’ week has been dominated by the funeral and remembrances of club legend Nat Lofthouse, who died recently at the age of 85.

His funeral took place on Wednesday and was attended by Wanderers figures past-and-present, with thousands of mourners lining the streets and listening to the service of thanksgiving at Bolton Parish Church over loudspeakers outside the packed church.

Lofthouse, nicknamed the “Lion of Vienna” played 500+ games and scored 285 goals in a 14-year Wanderers career which straddled the 1950s. He subsequently served the club in numerous roles, including caretaker manager and, in his last days, club President.

The current Bolton side have slipped back into the EPL’s mid-table pack after their 4-0 home thrashing by newly-resurgent title holders Chelsea.

But manager Owen Coyle has had January transfer-window success, capturing highly-rated Middlesbrough centre-half David Wheater.

The 23-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an initial fee of £2.3m which could rise to £3.8m depending on appearances.

Bolton’s move for Wheater is seen as planning for the departure of fellow centre-back Gary Cahill, who has been on various EPL club radars throughout the window.

But no-one has made a decisive move for Cahill, and Coyle insisted Wheater’s acquisition was “a willingness on (Bolton’s) behalf to invest in youth.”

And Bolton are back in the hunt for Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, after Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger insisted the 21-year-old Mexican international complete a loan spell in the EPL.

Bolton host Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round this Saturday.