DAVID Wheater has urged the Wanderers hierarchy to keep faith with Phil Parkinson next season.

Since Championship status was secured there has been no confirmation from within the Macron that Parkinson will be given the green light to lead a third campaign.

The reason for radio silence has been ongoing talks between chairman and owner, Ken Anderson, and potential investors. It is understood more than one foreign-based group has now approached the Bolton chief with a view to putting money into the club - although it is currently unclear how much control is on offer.

Parkinson could be forced to play a waiting game until discussions advance further - but Wheater is keen to see the Bolton boss get some clarification and the chance to invest some money into the squad.

“I really hope he stays on,” he told The Bolton News. “I’ve said before I think he’s the best manager I’ve played under and he’s been a calming influence on the lads when things got tough this season.

“He got us promoted last season, he kept us in the league this season, so I don’t think he’s doing a bad job. He’s moved us in the right direction.

“It’s none of my business, the financial side, but it would be good to see him be able to spend money on players and bring in some more quality. It would be good to push on next season.”

Parkinson did come in for some criticism from Bolton fans last season - particularly during a dip in form after the March international break.

Wheater feels the manager was able to absorb some of the pressure during the final weeks of the season to give his players the best chance of survival.

“He has taken a lot of the heat off us players because he’s not the type of person to have a go,” he said. “And maybe at times we have deserved to be the ones who are getting stick off the fans, and not him.

“I have enjoyed working with him. As a defender he does extra work with us after training, he doesn’t just pack up and head off home, he works really hard to make us a better team.”