A NEW contract offer to manager Gareth Ainsworth is imminent, said Wanderers chairman Don Woodward.

The Blues board have been impressed with the way Ainsworth has transformed the club's fortunes since being handed the reins in the wake of Gary Waddock's sacking in September.

Woodward said the club wanted to wait for the January transfer window to be out of the way before discussing new terms with Ainsworth, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

He said: "We've had discussions and they are ongoing. He's in no doubt we would like to keep him and he's loving it here.

"We haven't done a deal but it's going to be something we'll do very soon."

Asked if the contract would be offered in a month's time, Woodward said: "It'll be a bit earlier than that. Time's moving on and he's getting better and better. It's certainly in our interest to make sure he steps up.

"Without wanting to tell him what to do, it would be better to get a couple of seasons doing well and sniffing towards the play offs this year, or even doing better, and has the job for a reasonable amount of time."