PHIL Parkinson has been backed in as the bookmakers’ favourite for the vacant managerial job at Reading.

The Wanderers boss is now evens with some companies after previous front-runner Luis Castro decided to stay with Portuguese Primera Division outfit Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Parkinson was a big favourite with the Reading fans, making more than 400 appearances for the Royals over an 11-year spell as a player.

Sources close to the club say Nigel Howe, who recently returned as chief executive, has made Parkinson a prominent name in a 10-man shortlist presented to Reading’s Chinese ownership.

Other members of the Royals hierarchy have also given their backing to approach Parkinson, who has been in charge at Wanderers since the summer of 2016.

Other names such as Steve Bruce, Slavisa Jokanovic, Martin O’Neill and Gareth Ainsworth have also been linked with succeeding Paul Clement, who was sacked on December 6.

Some reports suggest Reading want to make an appointment quickly and are confident they can have someone in place by the time they face Rotherham United on Saturday. Parkinson’s contractual situation with Wanderers would mean compensation is due – and a quick deal could be complicated.

According to the BWFC Stats twitter account, Parkinson took charge of his 126th Bolton game at Norwich City on Saturday, making him the longest-serving manager since Sam Allardyce’s resignation in 2007.

Speaking last Thursday, Parkinson said he was trying to focus on his job at the University of Bolton Stadium.

“I literally only just found out about it, and it’s a shame that Paul is no longer the manager but I am concentrating on Bolton Wanderers and the weekend,” he said.