PAUL WARHURST has admitted that he his hopeful of signing a brand new contract at the Reebok Stadium when his current deal runs out at the end of June.

The midfielder, who signed for Bolton in January 1999 from Crystal Palace, is currently negotiating terms of a new contract which would see him stay with the Wanderers for another two seasons.

He told his personal website: "I am already looking forward to next season now. I'm out of contract at the end of June, and my agent is currently negotiating a new deal with the board.

"We are hoping to thrash out a two-year deal which would be fantastic for me. I really hope we can come to an agreement.

"I'm very settled here, get on well with all the lads and enjoy working under Sam Allardyce.

" And at long last it looks like the club may have some stability.

"It would be great if we could consolidate our position in the Premiership rather than yo-yoing between the Premiership and First Division."

Meanwhile Warhurst is putting himself through his paces in a bid to thwart the hamstring injury that has constantly interrupted his career.

The midfielder is doing a bit of 'extra-curricular' activity with the Wanderers physiotherapy department, while his team-mates are sunning themselves on holiday.

He said: "Even though we're officially on holiday now, I'm actually popping into the club once a week to work on my hamstrings. I did it last year and found it really useful.

"Once you've had a bad hamstring tear it's always something you've got to guard against because the scar tissue never seems to heal properly.

"But as long as you take the right precautions it's perfectly manageable," he added.

qCash-strapped Bury have released a second player in 24 hours following the switch of Matt Murphy to Swansea.

Murphy, who will sign a one-year contract on July 1, becomes the second Bury player to leave for Swansea City following the signature of midfielder Paul Reid.

The 30-year-old has had a difficult time of things at Gigg Lane, making only 10 appearances for The Shakers after joining from Oxford United last summer.

However, the star will take a well-earned holiday after completing his medical sessions by jetting off to Portugal with his family.

Warhurst added: "In a few weeks I'm heading off to the Algarve with the family for a break in the sun."