LIFE at Wanderers has taken a small step back towards normality as the incoming Football Ventures consortium’s influence starts to take effect.

It is understood the club’s administrators have come to an agreement with Atherton company Sibcas to remove padlocks from changing rooms and offices at the training ground.

Moves are also being made to restore hot water supplies, which have been cut off in recent weeks, which means players and coaching staff will no longer need to shuttle between the stadium and Lostock each day.

The Bolton News has also learned reports claiming that ex-Rushden and Diamonds owner Keith Cousins is being lined up to be Wanderers’ next director of football are wide of the mark.

Cousins, who has also been vice-chairman at Peterborough United, has been working as a liaison between players and coaching staff and the administrators since their arrival on May 13.

He has been working with Phil Parkinson to identify a pool of targets for next season and has also been approached by clubs in the Premier League, Championship and SPL about potential loan moves, which could be brought in at short notice.

But sources at the club insist Cousins is not being lined-up for a permanent role and will only stay on at Bolton as a consultancy basis to Football Ventures.

Meanwhile, Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has denied his club are interested in signing Wanderers midfielder Luke Murphy.

The 29-year-old former Leeds United man had been linked with a move to Posh, who have already snapped up Mark Beevers on a free transfer this summer.

Asked if there was anything in rumours of a move, he said succinctly on Twitter: “None”.

Wanderers travel to York City on Sunday for their first pre-season outing but are likely to use a squad comprised chiefly of Under-18s and development squad players.

Only a few first team players are currently ear-marked for the trip – with Parkinson hoping an imminent takeover will be completed in time to bring trialists and signings to the club quickly next week.