Coyle says Cahill staying — for now

OWEN COYLE accepts Gary Cahill may outgrow Bolton — but has no intention of selling his star defender yet.

The England centre-half has been linked with a £10 million (€11.8m) 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 Barclays 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.

“But I have always said the right time for Gary to move — or any player in that bracket — would be in the summer. For me the perfect time for any huge name to join a football club is in the summer, when you have got the pre-season.”

Speculation over Cahill’s future has gathered momentum following reports linking Bolton with Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.

Negotiations between the clubs over the 23-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, were thought to be under way but Coyle has played down the situation.

Coyle said: “I have had no dialogue with (Middlesbrough manager) Tony Mowbray, who is a friend of mine, and I am always reluctant to speak about other people’s players.

“People recognise David Wheater might be available because of his contract situation and have probably looked and seen that Bolton, as it stands, only have two centre-halves in Zat Knight and Gary Cahill. He is a very talented player and has already shown in the Premier League he can acquit himself at a high level, but I think that’s where all the speculation comes from.”