WANDERERS boss Paul Lambert is stepping up his centre half search as he bids to tighten up his leaking defence He has already held talks with Brentford's Matt Heywood and is planning to speak with released Dundee United defender David McCracken when the Scot returns from holiday.
McCracken has spent nine years at Tannadice but after a career in the Scottish Premier League he wants to play in England.
The 26-year-old was told he was being released by United boss Craig Levein in January but worked his way back into the team and was United's star performer from then until the end of the season.
SPL rivals Motherwell were keen to sign him, but the tall centre half, who is equally comfortable as a full back on either flank, has got his heart set on a move South.
Lambert knows McCracken well. He played against him for Celtic and also came up against him when as Livingston manager.
But Lambert is not putting all his eggs into one basket as he chases defensive options.
Lambert is also eyeing an experienced defender from the Championship as he bids to learn from the mistakes of last season when he was caught cold as both his centre halves Mike Williamson and Will Antwi were struck down by injury.
Williamson won't play until Christmas at the earliest after having an operation on his cruciate while Antwi's fitness remains a doubt.
The former Aldershot man spent almost a year on the sidelines with a groin injury and then failed to finish last season as well because of a groin problem.
