MARK Fish is set to underline his commitment to Bolton Wanderers by agreeing a new contract.

The South African defender, who was within an ace of joining Charlton Athletic for £1.5 million in the close season, is expected to sign a three-year extension to his current deal early next week when Sam Allardyce is also due to complete the signing of Nigerian international Mutiu Adepoju.

The new agreement, replacing the existing contract that expires next June, could keep Fish at the Reebok until Spring 2004 - a major boost to Allardyce's hopes of securing the services of the most talented members of his squad.

The Wanderers' boss, who welcomed back the star defender with open arms after the transfer to Charlton broke down over a medical technicality, said: "We are pleased to be able to offer Mark this extension to his contract, which shows our long-term commitment to him and his commitment to Bolton Wanderers.

"We are hopeful he will sign at the beginning of next week."

Fish, who is 26, has established himself as a firm favourite with the Reebok crowd since his £2.5 million transfer from Lazio in August 1997.

There were question-marks over his cavalier attitude in the Premiership but he has developed as one of the best central defenders outside the top flight.

Frequent transfer speculation has raised doubts in the past over his Reebok future but he has always maintained that, although ambitious to return to the top flight, he wants that to be with Wanderers.

Fish - a cult figure in his native South Africa - dropped a bombshell in February when he announced his retirement from international football. But he has since had a change of heart and won his 59th cap in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in the Congo earlier this month.

Adepoju, the 29-year-old captain of Nigeria, is expected to join Wanderers from Real Sociedad for the rest of the season.

Wanderers' third choice keeper, Matt Glennon, has joined Bristol Rovers on a month's loan and was due to go straight into the side for this afternoon's home game against Wigan.

Glennon has gone to the Memorial Stadium as cover for Nick Culkin, who is on a season's loan from Manchester United and was knocked out in the midweek game against Wycombe Wanderers.