Still no bid for McCarthy, insists Latics boss Coyle
The 22-year-old, who has been linked with moves to Everton, Tottenham and Newcastle, was expected to leave the FA Cup winners after their relegation from the Premier League but instead played in their opening match of the Championship on Saturday.
“I’ve not had any inquiries, let alone offers, for any of my players,” said Coyle after his side eased to a 4-0 win at Barnsley thanks to goals from Ben Watson, Grant Holt, Leon Barnett and Shaun Maloney.
“But ultimately good players attract attention and there’s no getting away from it, James McCarthy is such a hugely talented player.
“And if there is any interest, he’ll be the first to know. Then, as a club, we decide what happens from there.”
Meanwhile, Ireland striker Leon Best rescued a point for Blackburn and denied Derby a winning start to the new Sky Bet Championship campaign yesterday.
Best, on as a early replacement for the injured Ruben Rochina, guided a close-range volley past Lee Grant with two minutes remaining to cancel out Johnny Russell’s debut goal from the penalty spot late in the first half.
“We got what we deserved — at least what we deserved — in the end and it was a great goal,” Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer said.
“Chris Taylor came on and put in a fantastic cross and it really is a great finish from Leon.”
Saturday was a good day for last season’s relegated Premier League sides as QPR and Reading joined Wigan in making winning starts.
QPR beat 2-1 thanks to goals from Nedum Onuoha and Andrew Johnson while the Royals defeated Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich by the same score.
Danny Guthrie scored the winner after Adam Le Fondre had cancelled out Jay Tabb’s opener.
Leeds United also made a winning start as Luke Murphy scored a late winner to secure a 2-1 home win over Brighton.
Watford, beaten play-off finalists last season, began their campaign with a 1-0 win at Birmingham.
Troy Deeney scored the winner.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth beat Charlton 2-1, Leicester defeated Middlesbrough by the same score, Blackpool were 3-1 victors at Doncaster, Millwall lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil while Nottingham Forest overcame Huddersfield 1-0.
