REECE Burke’s recent form has helped him nudge ahead of David Wheater in the centre-back pecking order at Wanderers, says Phil Parkinson.

The West Ham loanee has started the last two games at Reading and Sheffield Wednesday, whereas Wheater – one of this season’s mainstays – has been dropped from the squad entirely.

Burke had a patchy loan spell in the first half of the season but since returning from the Hammers for a second stint at the end of January, has started five of the last seven games. The 21-year-old substantiated his inclusion at Hillsborough with a man-of-the-match performance.

But Wheater’s disappearance from the match-day squad has set tongues wagging among the Bolton fans and Parkinson hinted the 31-year-old could continue his spell on the sidelines if he sticks with the 4-5-1 formation against Aston Villa on Saturday.

“We felt we wanted to go with the back four against Reading, and Sheffield Wednesday, and have Dorian (Dervite) on the bench,” Parkinson told The Bolton News. “It’s good we have decisions to make. We have to choose the right team and that will be the same for Aston Villa.”

Only Ben Alnwick and Mark Beevers have started more Championship games than Wheater this season – but Parkinson believes Burke has dealt well with his return to the team.

“Sheffield Wednesday was a huge test because the player he was marking, Atdhe Nuhiu, is a big unit who gets a load of stick from the Wednesday fans,” he said. “I’ve seen him come off the bench loads of times and the fans start moaning – but right now he looks like a better player, to me, because there are a lot of games in the players’ legs.

“It was always going to be a question of whether we could handle his physicality. Reece is good on the ball but he’s also a really tough customer. And even though he’s only a young lad learning his trade, I think he is handling himself well.

“I am pleased because he’s been out of the team but not let his head get down.”