AVB - Sturridge stays put

Sturridge: Will not be rejoining Bolton on loan this term

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has insisted there is 'no chance' of Daniel Sturridge returning on loan to Bolton this season.

The striker had a successful loan spell with the Trotters last term and the Chelsea boss has since resisted the overtures of Owen Coyle to allow him to rejoin the bottom-of-the-table side.

The two teams meet at the Reebok on Sunday and AVB - who has remained in close contact with Bolton boss Coyle since they took their coaching badges together in Scotland - believes the Trotters will soon climb the table.

The Portuguese said: "We're always exchanging ideas. He put me under a lot of pressure to let him have Daniel Sturridge back on loan this season. There must have been 20 or 30 messages but I told him, 'definitely not'.

No chance

"I'm sure he'll try again in January. But there is no chance.

"Things are not going for Bolton as Owen would want this season, that's for sure. But he's a demanding, driven and focused person and Bolton will come out of this soon.

"Bad phases can happen to anyone in football. But one or two wins and Bolton will soon be moving back up the table."