CHRIS Coleman will remain in charge of Wales after signing a contract extension with the Football Association of Wales.

The 43-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal which will take him through to the end of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Terms on a new contract had been verbally agreed as early as September, but back-to-back defeats to Macedonia and Serbia had led the FAW to opt to wait until the end of the unsuccessful 2014 World Cup qualification campaign before making a final decision on whether to offer Coleman the chance to sign the deal.

Coleman had been unhappy with that decision, and his future had appeared in doubt, but talks in recent days have been positive and he will now lead Wales' in their next effort to reach a first major finals since 1958.

Wales finished fifth in Group A of World Cup qualifying having managed a creditable win over Macedonia and an excellent 1-1 draw with group winners Belgium in their final two fixtures, despite having a squad decimated by injury.

Coleman, who took over in January 2012 following the death of Gary Speed, had been linked with the managerial vacancy at Crystal Palace but had appeared to fall down the pecking order for the Selhurst Park job.

Craig Bellamy had also emerged as a contender to replace Coleman had he moved on following Saturday's friendly meeting with Finland, while the ex-Fulham boss was also asked to consider changing his backroom staff, which he was firmly opposed to, although John Hartson has recently stood down from his coaching role.

But Coleman had made clear his desire to remain in charge of the Dragons, while the FAW believe the former Fulham boss to represent a safe pair of hands, and worthy of another chance having taken over the job in the worst of circumstances.

But the results against Macedonia and Belgium seemingly tipped the balance back in the manager's favour.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Lewis Price has today withdrawn from the squad to face the Finns at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 6pm).

Danny Ward of Liverpool has been called in to replace him.