TWO years ago, if you would have hailed Darren Pratley’s contract extension as a landmark moment for Wanderers, they’d have put you away.

The man who just could not seem to do right in a Whites shirt, and whose run of rotten luck ruined any chance of a decent spell in the team, was persona non grata on the terraces for a long, long time.

Pratley had arrived on a free transfer from Swansea City with a reputation as a goal-getting midfielder but failed to find a niche under Owen Coyle.

A bout of meningitis did not help, nor did the lingering psychological effects of Fabrice Muamba’s collapse at White Hart Lane, which affected him more than most.

But even when Pratley returned to his old stomping ground in the Championship the spark wasn’t always there.

Too often played as a number 10, behind the main striker, and rarely given an extended run in the team, it seemed time was running out for the Londoner under Dougie Freedman as he wandered into the final year of his contract.

He started Freedman’s last game in charge at his former club Fulham, sacrificed early in the second half after a desperately disappointing night.

The arrival of Neil Lennon, however, triggered a revival that not many Whites fans saw coming.

Pratley missed just one game for the new manager, against Wigan because of suspension, before suffering a season-ending injury in January.

While Jay Spearing and Medo Kamara did not suit the model of midfielder Lennon was looking for, Pratley’s athletic and powerful frame certainly did.

And with confidence, some of the more agricultural elements of the 30-year-old’s game started to iron themselves out.

Goals started to flow against Millwall, Blackburn and Huddersfield, heck, Pratley was even doing scorpion kicks from the edge of the penalty box.

All of which meant when the midfielder limped off against Wolves, his presence would be missed arguably more than any other outfield player at the time.

Under Lennon, Wanderers picked up eight wins, six draws and four defeats from the 18 games Pratley started. Without him the team won four times, drew five and lost 10 in the run-in.

He was by no means the only player on the injury list but perhaps one most difficult to replace.

Lennon knew that and set his stall out early to try to keep hold of him this summer.

Tight finances meant it was by no means straightforward, and when talks ceased completely a fortnight ago there seemed little chance of reconciliation.

Pratley spoke with Ipswich and QPR but when negotiations were revived Wanderers were already facing up to the probable loss of first-choice keeper Adam Bogdan. This deal was an important one to sort.

Many fans had written off the chances of the midfielder remaining at the club and no doubt Wednesday morning’s news prompted a few deleted tweets and message board comments around the town.

After seeing Bogdan lined up for departure – albeit to a Premier League club in Liverpool – there was a sense of despondency about which direction things were going.

Some bookmakers pegged Wanderers out as second favourites for the drop and the lack of confirmed signings didn’t help.

While the deal for Gary Madine appears to be done and dusted, Ben Amos and Craig Morgan not far away, the fact those players are still contracted elsewhere means they may not be officially announced for another three weeks.

Wanderers fans needed some good news and, for most, the fact Pratley is close to signing a new deal is regarded as a step in that direction.

Lennon does need more muscle in his midfield and has already been linked with players like Wilson Palacios – who has apparently been offered a chance to train with the club in Austria next month – and Rudy Austin.

Both players would come with a hefty presence but also a hefty pay packet.

Lennon might well need to find an answer from within. Spearing returns this summer after a successful loan spell at Blackburn; could the former club skipper prove himself all over again?

Salvation for Medo looks less likely after a loan in Israel. Indications are that he could move abroad this summer on a permanent basis.

Pratley’s signing could be an important cornerstone for Lennon but is just the first of a big rebuilding job.