Coyle keen to retain Cahill

The England centre-half has been linked with a £10million move to Arsenal but Trotters boss Coyle says there has been no contact with the Gunners.

Coyle, who has had only four substitutes on his bench for the last two Premier League games, insists his threadbare squad cannot afford to lose any players this month. He admits, however, that he may not be able to stand in the 25-year-old's way for much longer and has hinted that he could leave in the summer.

Coyle said: "I have not had any dialogue with any other club regarding Gary Cahill's situation. He is a top performer, capable of playing for any of the top clubs.

"Outside of his footballing ability he really is a top lad, a fantastic man. But I also have to give balance to that and recognise there will come a time when that type of player will sometimes outgrow your football club. I have always said I am not one for standing in anyone's way.

"If it is the right thing for the player and the right thing for the football club, that is something as managers we have to look at. But I have always said the right time for Gary to move - or any player in that bracket - would be in the summer. For any sort of club spending that sort of money, the player has got to hit the ground running. He would have no time to settle in and get to know the group he is working with."

Source: PA

Source: PA