WANDERERS are confident Josh Vela will sign a new deal at the Macron Stadium before the end of the season.

The home-grown midfielder is one of several players out of contract in the summer but Neil Lennon is in no doubt he will agree a longer stay in the coming months.

Vela looked to be heading out of the club under Dougie Freedman, exiled to the development squad and loaned out to League One Notts County at the tail end of last season.

But since gaining a regular starting spot under the new boss, the academy graduate has flourished, culminating in a superb display in both FA Cup games against Liverpool.

Lennon is keen to see the 21-year-old’s future sorted, and foresees no complications in tying him to a longer contract.

"I don't think it will be a problem,” he told The Bolton News. “We will sit down and re-negotiate a new deal because we are very happy with him."

Lennon’s own future came under doubt yesterday when a tabloid report linked him with a move to Premier League Hull City.

Tigers boss Steve Bruce was said to be under pressure but sources close to the KC Stadium say his job is not under threat.

After running Liverpool so close in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, Lennon has quickly shifted his focus to tomorrow’s trip to promotion-chasing Derby County.

“It’s a huge game for us in terms of where we are in the league,” he said. “It’s one I really think we can sink our teeth into.

“Everyone felt low after the final whistle (against Liverpool) but what about using that as motivation for Saturday?

“I couldn’t ask any more from the players in terms of effort but now we’ve got a chance to put a few fresh faces in there to help us out, and I think we have needed that.”

Adam Le Fondre should return to the starting line-up, while Barry Bannan and Simeon Slavchev are also in line to make their debuts.

Lennon also revealed keeper Adam Bogdan might not be out for as long as expected with an ankle injury.

The initial diagnosis for the Hungary international was six to eight weeks but it is now thought he could be back in action by the end of February.