NEIL Lennon has told his players: Beat Wigan Athletic and then we’ll talk contracts.

The Wanderers boss wants three more points on the board before starting to plan for next season and senses a golden opportunity at the DW Stadium today.

Victory would put 13 points between the Whites and their local rivals – and could also be a nail in the coffin for Malky Mackay’s struggling side, who have not won a home game since August 30.

Lennon has nine senior players out of contract but will not make promises to any of them before he feels the threat of relegation has been completely obliterated.

“The players have got to find that bit extra and get over the line now,” he told The Bolton News. “At the minute we are kind of holding our breath until we feel safe. But the ambition is to build for next season and try to be a force.

“I have a fair idea what I want to do, which players I want to keep, but firstly we need to tidy things up and I think we’d do that by beating Wigan.”

Wanderers are boosted by the return of five players to the squad – Adam Le Fondre, Saidy Janko, Liam Feeney, Paddy McCarthy and Latics old boy Emile Heskey.

Lennon also hinted he is considering starting Adam Bogdan sooner rather than later with the goalkeeper due to fly out for international duty with Hungary next week.

Lennon is keen to put one more win on the board before speaking with Phil Gartside and Eddie Davies about next season’s budget, and what cash he has to play with in the summer as he tries to rebuild his squad.

“I’ve a fair idea what I want to do,” he said. “You need to have a number of options because the players I want to stay might have interest from elsewhere, there are many scenarios which could play out.

“But we want to improve the team, the squad and the mentality.

“I haven’t spoken about money yet and I won’t until we’re safe; then I’ll get an indication of what we can and can’t do.

“That won't be an issue. I like it here, I am enjoying the challenge. I think I have done a decent job so far. I think it can be better because there is great potential here.

“Once we consolidate our position here then we can get excited about things.”