City are poised to make their next summer signing – thought to be Gary Liddle – early next week.

Phil Parkinson is closing in on his latest capture to follow Billy Knott and Matty Dolan into Valley Parade.

The club are keeping their target’s identity under wraps but it is believed to be former Notts County midfielder Liddle.

They are also expecting responses from the members of the current squad who are chewing over new deals, including City’s player of the year Stephen Darby.

The 30-day deadline to reply to the club’s letters of re-engagement runs out next weekend.

With director of operations David Baldwin in Portugal for the Football League’s annual meeting, Julian Rhodes has been involved in the negotiations with Parkinson. He is hoping for good news on the recruitment front.

Joint-chairman Rhodes said: “There have been further discussions going on with Phil regarding possible signings as well as the out-of-contract players we are trying to keep.

“We hope that in the next few days there will be answers from those we’ve put offers to, as well as the possibility of bringing in at least one new face.”

Liddle left Meadow Lane a fortnight ago after turning down a new deal. Notts have since snapped up four new signings, including veteran former Leeds forward Alan Smith.

Ex-City midfielder Ritchie Jones, who was in the same Hartlepool team as Liddle, yesterday told the Telegraph & Argus that his ex-clubmate would be the ideal signing for Valley Parade because of his League One experience.