No approach for Anelka: Bolton

Bolton insist they are yet to receive an official approach for French striker Nicolas Anelka despite persistent rumours linking him with a move away from the Reebok Stadium.

Spanish side Valencia are the latest club to be linked with Anelka after an unsettling summer in which Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal were also said to be interested.

Boss Sammy Lee was adamant after the weekend friendly at Tranmere that no offer had been tabled for Anelka, who missed the game with a foot injury.

And club officials maintained their stance today in the wake of the Valencia rumours. A spokesman said: “What Sammy said at the weekend still stands.”

Meanwhile Stelios Giannakopoulos will miss the start of the new season after undergoing a hernia operation in Athens.

The Greece international is due to return to the club’s Euxton training base later this week but is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

The club’s medical expert Dr Richard Freeman said: “Stelios has had a successful operation on a sportsman hernia on his left side.

“The problem has been building up for around two years, but we had to get things moving to help the player overcome the discomfort. It has been resolved now and Stelios will feel better for it.”