NEWS of Jaap Stam’s departure at relegation rivals Reading caused a ripple of concern at Wanderers’ Lostock training ground yesterday, and little wonder.

For a number of weeks, as the Dutchman teetered on the edge of an exit at the Madejski Stadium, folk at the Macron have been steeling themselves for the possibility Phil Parkinson would be linked with a return to his former club.

The Whites boss is revered in that part of Berkshire, having made more than 400 appearances as a midfielder for the Royals, whose fans still sing his name.

The good news, for now, is that there has been no contact – and nor would it be welcomed.

But such is the fine job Parkinson and his staff have done thus far in getting Bolton promoted and keeping them afloat among the Championship millionaires, it is surely only a question of time before Bolton’s grip on their manager and his backroom is tested.

Ken Anderson acted at the start of the season to secure Parkinson and his coaching team on a rolling 12-month deal, preventing any club snapping him up on the same sort of cheap deal the canny Bolton chairman managed to strike to land his man from Bradford City in the summer of 2016.

Compensation was quoted at the time at £200,000 – but it has since been suggested on this side of the Pennines the fee was much lower.

The timing of Reading’s decision suggests they do have a man in mind to arrest an alarming slide in Championship fortunes. From beaten finalists in last season’s play-offs the Royals have looked a shadow of their former selves this time around, winning just two games in their last 22 by the time of Stam’s exit.

Former Derby County and West Brom boss Paul Clement was the bookmakers’ red-hot favourite yesterday, quoted at 4/1 on in some markets, although there was also money for Steve Cotterill, most recently of Birmingham City, but a man who was considered for the Wanderers post at the same time as Parkinson.

Andy Taylor, one of the experienced heads in the Wanderers camp, was unsurprised that his manager had been linked with a return to the Madejski but, like many Bolton fans, hoped concern would prove unfounded.

“I think when you look at the job he has done at Bolton, he is bound to get a mention when good jobs go around,” he told The Bolton News.

“Obviously, I hope, we all hope, it doesn’t prove to be the case because me and the rest of the lads are really enjoying working under him.

“Since he took over the role, for starters it’s not easy to take over a relegated club and get them promoted straight away but then to assemble a squad which is competitive in the Championship with a low budget, is quite incredible.

“Not only that – the fact we have reacted as well as we have after such a good start is credit to the manager and his staff.

“I hope Reading don’t come knocking but there are other people mentioned, so hopefully he’s still in charge come the Leeds game. I’ll leave it there!”

Parkinson took training as normal yesterday and welcomed German midfielder Jan Kirchhoff back for the first time since he made his debut - coincidentally against Reading - and suffered a minor hamstring complaint. the following day.

“We’ve had a couple of days off but we’ve been back in this morning – it’ll be Friday and Saturday off and then back in Sunday, said Parkinson, whose side travel to Leeds United on Good Friday. “We’re trying to get the right balance of time on the training ground but also a little bit of rest at this stage of the season. The important thing is that when we’re out there, the training is of a good standard, and I’m happy to say it is.”