James Hanson is in talks to extend his City contract.

The big targetman, who was a revelation in his first season in league football, has another year left on his current deal.

But City want to head off any predators with a longer, improved offer on the table as they have already done with defender Steve Williams.

Peter Taylor met Hanson’s representative yesterday and is confident that the deal will be struck.

“That’s hopefully happening very soon,” said the City boss. “We hope that James will be fit and well for next season and carry on playing for us as well as he has done.”

Hanson was plucked from Guiseley last summer and responded with a team-leading 13 goals, winning the club’s player of the year title.

He missed the final seven games of the campaign after pulling a hamstring at Bournemouth on Easter Saturday.

But City have played down any fears that it could still hamper him going into next week’s pre-season schedule.

Taylor added: “For a while we were a little bit nervous because it didn’t seem to be clearing up but the last scan we saw looked okay.

“I’ve put the physio under immense pressure to make sure James is there! I’m desperate for him to be fit for pre-season and it’s looking that way.”

Hanson still played 39 times and the injury-enforced absence may have done him a favour, allowing the 22-year-old the chance to recharge his batteries over a longer break.

Taylor, who is still looking to make another attack-minded addition, said: “A lot of people come up from that (non-league) level and over-work and James certainly did that. He grabbed the opportunity and showed he is a good player.

“I also think it helped us as well when James was out because all of a sudden we had to play without a big striker. It made us realise that we had to play a bit more.

“We know what an important player he has been.

“If he can continue to attack those crosses like he has done then I will be happy.”