WANDERERS are in talks with Phil Parkinson about an extended contract at the Macron Stadium.

The Whites boss penned a two-year deal when he arrived last summer from Bradford City and led the club to promotion against the odds from League One in his first campaign.

Chairman Ken Anderson has confirmed he is in negotiation with Parkinson’s representatives, with a conclusion thought to be “very close”.

“We are in discussion with Phil about a new contract,” he told The Bolton News. “We have made an offer and am due to meet with his agent but we’re very hopeful that something will be sorted soon.”

News of the club’s offer will settle the nerves for some supporters, who feared Parkinson could be tempted elsewhere after his success with Wanderers.

Anderson believes his manager can now establish the club back in the second tier and build for the future.

“If I didn’t believe that, I’d certainly not be talking to him about a longer deal,” he said. “I think you only have to listen to the players to see how they relate to Phil and his staff, and that is very satisfying as a chairman.

“I certainly have confidence in him.”

Anderson appointed Parkinson last summer after a long wait but sees the decision as one of the best of his chairmanship to date.

“It probably is,” he said. “We knew we wanted Phil but it didn’t help when Bradford went into the play-offs. We interviewed, we spoke to some outstanding candidates – which was well documented and I think says a lot about the club. But we knew Phil was the right fit, and so it proved.”

Meanwhile, yesterday completed the signing of Bristol City striker Aaron Wilbraham on a one-year deal.

The 37-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee – although The Bolton News understands that no money was exchanged with the Robins.

Wilbraham has a wealth of experience and has scored goals in all four divisions of the Football League.

He had been penned in for a player-coach role in Lee Johnson’s staff at Ashton Gate but opted to move back to his native North West, where he began his career at Stockport County.

Wanderers become Wilbraham’s 10th professional club and he goes straight into the squad to face Leeds United on Sunday.