BOLTON WANDERERS chairman Ken Anderson has warned Sunderland officials to forget about pursuing Phil Parkinson as they look to appoint a new boss.

New Black Cats owner Stewart Donald is hoping to have a new manager in place by the start of next week, and is keen to begin holding formal interviews within the next 48 hours.

Parkinson is one of the candidates currently under consideration, with the Bolton boss understood to be concerned about his job security in the event of external investors putting their money into the Trotters this summer.

However, Anderson has thrown his full weight behind Parkinson and claimed Donald would be wasting his time if he was to make a formal approach for the former Hull, Charlton and Bradford boss.

Speaking in the Bolton News, Anderson said: "There has been some speculation linking Phil with other jobs and I can completely understand why given the excellent and outstanding job he has done with us.

"What I will say is that Phil is under contract with Bolton Wanderers Football Club and he is the right man for the job in hand.

“We will not entertain any enquiries for him whatsoever and hopefully the size of any potential compensation package would be sufficient to dissuade any approaches.”

Parkinson signed a one-year rolling contract last season, and Anderson is adamant he will be supported in the transfer market this summer no matter what happens in terms of external investment at the Macron Stadium.

He said: "I can reassure you that any negotiations will not detract or hamper our determination to strengthen our squad ahead of the new campaign and indeed, funds are available for the manager."