Owen Coyle wants Kevin Davies to stay but admits the situation could change if the veteran striker expresses a desire to move on.
Only if player says he wants to leave will boss soften his stance
Bolton boss Owen Coyle wants Kevin Davies to stay but admits the situation could change if the veteran striker expresses a desire to move on.
It emerged over the weekend that Coyle had received a phone call from Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill about the England international - and that he told the Northern Irishman he wants to keep hold of the striker.
Although O'Neill did not get as far as making an actual offer, the Black Cats boss said on Sunday that he "may well follow up" the enquiry.
Davies, who is out of contract in the summer, has lost his place in the Wanderers first XI this season, but Coyle remains adamant the 34-year-old has a future at the Reebok Stadium and has stressed the situation will only change if the player himself expresses a desire to move on.
"When Martin rang last week it was just an enquiry," Coyle said on Monday.
No offer
"There was no offer made. He wanted to know the situation and I told him quite clearly, I didn't want Kevin Davies going anywhere.
"I'm not encouraging anything for Kevin Davies, because we want him here as the captain.
"It (a bid) won't change my outlook. I want Kevin Davies here, regardless of what offer is made.
"The only thing that would change that circumstance is if Kevin Davies said to me 'gaffer, I think I want to look at that' - then that is different, because I have to understand Kevin's feelings on that.
"But he is our captain, he has been a huge part of Bolton Wanderers and he will continue to be."
