WANDERERS’ resolve to keep top scorer Gary Madine looks like being tested to the full in the January transfer window.

Phil Parkinson claimed it would be “crazy” to lose the nine-goal target man this month with the Whites still scrapping to stay in the Championship – but that will not stop a queue of Championship clubs, headed by Cardiff City, looking to strike a deal.

It is now know the Bluebirds have had two bids turned down for Madine but sources close to the player claim other clubs are now ready to enter the race for his signature.

Parkinson has had assurances from Ken Anderson that he will not be forced into a sale but speaking to The Bolton News yesterday, the Whites chief knows speculation over his striker’s future is only likely to increase as the deadline draws near.

“In one way, if you’re Gaz, you are thinking it’s great that teams are offering significant sums of money for me,” he said. “But I don’t think he’s the type of person who will let this affect him.

“We want him to keep playing well and if by doing that he attracts more interest, then so be it. We can’t do a lot about it.

“Ken is adamant he wants to keep Gaz, so do I, the staff and all the players. He’s a popular lad in the dressing room.

“And as I have said before, it really would be crazy to sell one of our best players at this stage of the season.”

Parkinson is convinced he can get more out of the former Sheffield Wednesday man, who signed a new two-year deal in the summer.

In fact, the Wanderers boss believes with the right guidance Madine could carve out a career at the highest level at a comparatively late stage of his career, like other top target men.

“You look at players like Rickie Lambert, Grant Holt, who matured at a similar time to Gaz and that often happens,” he said. “I imagine Gaz will be pleased with the interest from elsewhere. It will be great for his confidence and there are a lot of people talking about him because his goal return has been really good.

“Like I always say, it’s his general play which has pleased me the most. Even when he hasn’t had the goals his physical output for the team has been improving all the time.”

Madine will return to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Brentford after sitting out the FA Cup third round defeat against Huddersfield Town.