City will move to ward off predators by signing Nahki Wells long term in the summer.

The Bermudian striker currently has another season to go at Valley Parade after the club took up an option to extend his initial one-year deal.

But with interest in Wells growing, even more so after his hat-trick at Northampton, they are keen to nail him down properly.

Wells, understood to be one of the lowest paid at City, is one of a number of players that they will be talking to about new contracts now that their league position is assured.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes said: “The plan was always to take up the option and then talk to him about a longer deal once the season is over.

“We exercised the option early to show how much we valued him and now we’ll look to sit down and do something. He’s a player we’re very excited about.

“Speak to anyone in the board room and they will tell you I’m probably Nahki’s biggest fan. I’ve been going on about him for a while.

“He has been very impressive this season. For a player with his speed, he’s got two good feet and is willing to take men on.

“You also notice he’s a brave lad and wins a lot in the air. He’s got a bit of everything.”

Wells, who has now scored 11 goals in his first full season as a pro, was brought over to England by former City winger Mark Ellis.

He joined Carlisle, managed by Ellis’s former Valley Parade team-mate Greg Abbott, before Peter Jackson snapped him up after a trial last summer.

Wells scored his first goal against Barnet in August but it was another three months before he got his first start. The 21-year-old seized his big chance during City’s in-form December run.

Rhodes added: “You could see there was something there when he came on against Barnet and scored and hit the post.

“Nahki got the spectacular FA Cup goal against Rochdale but he really announced himself in the league in those two home games at Christmas. He ran Shrewsbury ragged in particular and formed a great partnership with James Hanson.

“I think we are a different team when we play Nahki and Kyel Reid at the same time. They can both cause defences all kinds of problems because of their speed.

“I’m sure Nahki can go on and play at a higher level.

“Certainly if he keeps working hard and gets a good pre-season in him, he could be a big player for us next year.

“Let’s hope 12 months from now we are talking about him as the top scorer in League Two.”

Meanwhile, winger Andy Haworth has returned to Bury at the end of his three-month loan.