Phil Parkinson wants to get his Valley Parade future secured so he can nail down the crown jewels in the City squad.

Parkinson’s current contract runs out at the end of June along with those of assistant manager Steve Parkin, fitness guru Nick Allamby and physio Matt Barrass.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn told the T&A ten days ago that the board are keen to keep Parkinson at the helm after a season that is shaping up to be the best in well over a decade.

But they have not timetabled any discussions yet because of the hectic fixture schedule.

Parkinson is happy to bide his time until the board are ready – but hinted that getting something on the table sooner rather than later will allow him to start working on those players whose deals are also due to expire.

He said: “It’s not just me but the staff as well. Steve, Nick and Matt are all out of contract.

“We’re really happy here and really enjoying it. Myself and Steve love coming in to work every day, it’s a terrific club and I feel that we are building something.

“It’s the chairmen’s prerogative (to decide when to talk). When they are ready to sit down, I’ll be more than happy to do that so that my future’s settled.

“I feel that will be important for the players as well because a lot of those are also out of contract.”

The likes of Kyel Reid, Gary Jones, Andrew Davies and Nathan Doyle are all up for renewal at the end of the season.

Parkinson played a huge role in attracting them to City in the first place and his continued presence would be a telling factor in keeping in-demand players on board.

Parkinson, who took over the hot-seat from Peter Jackson 16 months ago, is confident that his own position can be finalised but will not push the board to hurry things along.

He said: “I haven’t mentioned it at all to the chairmen. They are the chairmen of the football club and it’s their right to decide when they are ready to discuss it.

“We have been exceptionally busy. Every meeting we’ve had has been taken up with planning for the next game, players who we are going to bring in and ones we are going to let go and things like that.

“It would be good to sort it out and I’m sure when the time’s right then something will be done.

“Steve and I are both really enjoying our time here – but it’s down to the chairmen.

“When they are ready, we look forward to having a good chat with them about it.”