Promotion-winning boss Andy Sinton was today in talks that could pave the way for him sign the longest contract ever handed to an AFC Telford United manager.

Former England international Sinton, who guided the Bucks into the top flight of non-League football last season, is already contracted to the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

But chairman Lee Carter is eager to thrash out a longer term deal for a man whose managerial profile has rocketed as a result of his success – and is offering terms that will keep him at the club for a further two years.

“Talks are progressing nicely and we’re extremely close to an agreement now,” said Carter, who was due to sit down with Sinton this afternoon.

“Neither party has treated it as a priority up to now and other things have come first, but we are sitting down today to try and finalise the agreement.

“It will be the longest single contract ever awarded to any of our managers and it will effectively keep him here until 2014. We hope to tie it up soon.”

Meanwhile, Telford will have to wait at least an extra 24 hours to discover their fixture list for their debut season in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The fixtures were due to be published tomorrow morning but that has been put on hold because of Rushden & Diamonds’ appeal over their expulsion from the league – which is being heard tomorrow.

Should Rushden succeed and be re-instated, then the unveiling of the fixtures could be delayed still further.

A Conference statement, issued yesterday afternoon, stated: “It is sensible and practical under these circumstances, to delay the release of the 2011/12 fixture list for all three Blue Square Bet divisions, until at least 10am on Wednesday, July 6.”

• Telford’s pre-season preparations will step up a pace this week, with their friendly programme getting under way at Rocester tomorrow night (7.45pm).Sinton will take a squad of around 22 players – including several trialists – to Hillsfield, home of the Midland Alliance outfit.

By CHRIS HUDSON