GARY O’NEIL is set to remain in charge of Bournemouth for this weekend’s return to Premier League action at home to Brentford, with the south coast club having made no attempt to prise Chris Wilder from Middlesbrough despite the intense speculation of the last few days.

Wilder has been heavily linked with a possible move to the Vitality Stadium, with Bournemouth still to appoint a permanent successor to Scott Parker, who was dismissed at the start of the month.

However, Boro have not received an approach from the Cherries requesting permission to speak to Wilder or his representatives, and sources close to the top-flight club continue to claim that the 55-year-old does not feature on Bournemouth’s list of potential managerial candidates.

Whether that changes if American NHL boss Bill Foley completes his proposed £150m buyout of current Bournemouth owner Maxim Demin remains to be seen, but as things stand, there appears to be little prospect of Wilder being installed as Cherries boss.

The former Sheffield United manager’s immediate priority is to strengthen his own position at Middlesbrough, with the club currently struggling in the Championship relegation zone after a poor start to the season.

Boro head to bottom side Coventry City on Saturday for a game that could have serious repercussions for Wilder’s future as Boro boss if things do not go to plan. The Teessiders have won just two of their opening 11 matches in all competitions so far this season, and would slump to within four points of the foot of the table if they were to lose at the weekend, having played three games more than their opponents.

Wilder is due to speak to the press on Friday morning, with the subject of this week’s Bournemouth speculation sure to be raised. He has been taking training at Rockliffe Park as usual since the weekend, when the reported links to the south-coast club first emerged.