OXFORD United are close to putting in-demand boss Chris Wilder on a three-year contract.

It comes after the U’s yesterday rejected an official approach from Burton Albion to speak to Wilder about their vacant manager’s position.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas showed how determined he was to keep the former Halifax boss, who has done an outstanding job in turning United around, by snubbing Burton, and stepping up negotiations with the 41-year-old, who is on a rolling contract.

Wilder transformed a side which was heading for a relegation scrap into one that challenged for the play-offs – despite a five-point deduction.

Burton, who clinched promotion to the Football League for the first time by winning the Blue Square Premier title, need someone to replace Roy McFarland.

After taking over on a short-term basis from Nigel Clough, McFarland last week declared that he did not want to be considered for the post permanently.

Brewers chairman Ben Robinson said he had conducted five interviews and that some of the applicants for the job have managed at a higher level than League Two.

He also confirmed that he had received between 25 and 30 serious applications for the post with numerous phone calls from interested parties and agents over the last few days.

Wilder was installed on Tuesday as joint favourite for the job, along with ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa defender Steve Staunton, by bookies Victor Chandler, who slashed his odds from 14-1 to 3-1.

However, Robinson revealed yesterday that Oxford had rejected their request to speak to Wilder.

“We are looking at drawing up a shortlist of applicants and, on the basis of that, we wanted to speak to the Oxford manager, Chris Wilder,” he said.

“We approached Oxford today and asked them for permission to put Chris on our shortlist, but they have denied us permission to speak to their manager about it.”

Thomas is in Florida at present, but is understood to be returning to England in the next few days.

And Oxford United later put out a statement saying it was “no surprise” that Burton had wanted to speak to Wilder, given how well he has done.

“However, the club has made it very clear that Chris is under contract and we are in the process of putting the finishing touches to a three-year deal which will keep Chris at the club for the foreseeable future”, the U’s announced.

Thomas said: “Chris may not have been seen as a big-name appointment at the time, but he has certainly created a name for himself now.

“As you would expect, what Chris has started at Oxford has attracted interest, but we were prepared for these situations to arise and were already discussing a new deal.

“One of the things that attracted us to Chris was his loyalty and I look forward to building on what we have begun here.

“My relationship with Chris is very good and I did discuss Burton's request with him, however, I am delighted that he has committed his future to the club and look forward to concentrating on bringing the players that we would like to the football club."

Wilder was flattered by the approach, but said he was happy to show his commitment to the U's.

“I appreciate the interest shown in me and what we have done here at Oxford, especially from such a progressive club as Burton for what is a very sought-after position.,” he said.

“I spoke to the chairman here and my ambition has always been, and remains, to play a part in returning Oxford into the Football League.

“I have never hidden my desire to manage at the highest level, but I am convinced that this club is making progress and we can realise those dreams together.

“Historically this is a difficult league to get out of, but we are desperate for success for this club.

“A crowd of more than 10,000 for the last game of the season shows that we are on the right lines and that there are exciting times ahead.”