PHIL Parkinson is pushing Bolton to launch a serious bid to hijack Sunderland’s pursuit of Charlie Wyke.

The City striker is said to be the subject of an improved bid from the Black Cats over the weekend, although sources at Valley Parade claim that is “pure speculation”.

But Parkinson remains hopeful that Bolton’s Championship status can edge the race for the sought-after frontman.

And he has made it clear that Wyke has been his number one target throughout the summer as he presses Bolton chairman Ken Anderson to get the deal done.

Parkinson said: “The key area is the top of the pitch. We need more strength.

“Ken (Anderson) is waiting to hear back from one or two chairmen and we need to make progress in that area.

“At the start of the summer we gave the chairman a list of strikers that we thought were realistic and he asked me which one was at the very top of that list.

“I don’t want to discuss the name – I’m sure it’s documented – but we’re going for that one.”

City rejected a £600,000 bid from Sunderland last week. But reports in the north east from the T&A’s sister paper The Northern Echo claimed that they have tabled a new offer closer to £1 million and are pressing for a response in the next 24 hours.

It is unsure how such a transfer figure would be structured and how much would be up front or incentive-based.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross has confirmed their interest in Wyke remains “ongoing” and the club have always been confident that they will land their man.

Anderson recently revealed that Bolton had also put in a six-figure bid for a striker but again there is no indication whether that was for Wyke.

The City centre forward is currently sidelined with a knee injury that forced him off in the opening minutes against Sheffield United at Valley Parade last week.

Head coach Michael Collins said: “Charlie picked up a niggle the other day but at this moment I leave it to the medical department. He’s being assessed on a daily basis.

“He is a very big asset for the club and when they tell me he’s fit, he’ll come back into the fold. It’s as simple as that.”