WANDERERS will swing the axe on Aaron Wilbraham – the man whose goal secured Championship survival – along with club captain Darren Pratley and fellow midfielder Karl Henry, The Bolton News understands.

Phil Parkinson has taken a bold and decisive step in his summer rebuilding by releasing three of his most experienced players.

The Wanderers boss is targeting a younger, more energetic line-up next season and has shown little sentimentality in releasing three of last season’s most experienced heads to free room in his transfer budget.

Wilbraham’s header against Nottingham Forest ensured a dramatic last-day escape, but at 38, Parkinson took the decision not to give him an extra year after much deliberation.

Pratley was one of Wanderers’ longest-serving players, signing for the club under Owen Coyle from Swansea City in the Premier League in 2011.

The 33-year-old Londoner played 35 times last season and has worn the captain’s armband since being given the job by Neil Lennon three years ago.

He made made more than 200 appearances for the club, playing in three different divisions, and scored 17 goals.

Henry’s release may also come as some surprise to Wanderers fans, given his impact on the club’s fortunes since signing on a free transfer at the end of September.

His midfield presence proved vital as Bolton recovered from a nightmarish start but at 35, the choice had again been made to try and replace the former Wolves ball-winner with a younger player.

Henry made 33 appearances – missing just five games after his debut against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Parkinson’s decision to move on three big names is expected to clear the way for a new-look side next season, which he hopes will avoid the same sort of struggles at the foot of the table.

Meanwhile, Bolton have added another pre-season fixture to their schedule with a game at FC Halifax penned in for Saturday, July 14 (kick-off 3pm).