PHIL Parkinson has confirmed Wanderers are no longer holding contract talks with former captain Jay Spearing.

Speaking for the first time about his former captain, the Whites boss says both parties have now agreed to part ways after several weeks of negotiations.

Spearing was one of the highest earners in the dressing room and was looking for similar terms to the deal he signed in the Championship in 2013.

Parkinson has worked hard to try and negotiate a compromise but yesterday was forced to accept defeat in his attempt to convince the 28-year-old to stay at the Macron.

“Jay is out there in the free market, we have both decided to move on now,” he told The Bolton News.

“We’re at the stage now where we need to finalise deals with certain players – we’re in competition for a couple of them – and Jay himself needs to make a decision on his future.

“He has been terrific for us. Is the door completely closed? I don’t think it ever could be because you look at what happened last season with David Wheater. But I’ve had a couple of chats with Jay and his agent and we’ve agreed we’ll move on.”

It is understood Spearing has offers on the table from two League One clubs but ideally wants to stay in the Championship.

The midfielder is one of the players whose last month’s wage and bonus remained unpaid, as The Bolton News went to press.

Parkinson admits it had been difficult to convince the former England Under-21 international to lower his demands after he had played a major part in last season’s promotion from League One.

“I can understand it,” he said. “Jay has been a terrific servant and he’s a good character but sometimes it’s players understanding the market they are going into. Jay has been on good money.

“I have spoken to Jay a few times this week and he’s a good lad. He’s probably on the list of a few clubs but we’ve got to move on. Two weeks have gone in pre-season and we go on tour this week – we need to start piecing the jigsaw together.”

Parkinson has promised a mix of senior and development squad players for today’s pre-season opener against Chorley.