Coyle plays down Bolton link

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has played down speculation linking him with the vacant Bolton managerial position.

Bolton are without a manager having sacked Gary Megson yesterday following the 2-2 draw against Hull.

Coyle, a former Wanderers player who was also linked with the Celtic job in the summer, said: “It is a fantastic job for someone out there but my focus is on doing the best against MK Dons this weekend.

“I have had speculation time and time again but, as always, I am concentrating on the job in hand.”

Coyle has never hidden his affection for Bolton, where he played between 1993 and 1995.

Prior to the December 26 visit of his former club the former Republic of Ireland international admitted Wanderers were “a club very close to my heart”, adding “I had a lot of fantastic times at Bolton and loved every minute”.

However, Coyle has been fiercely loyal to Burnley and does not intend to leave them in the lurch midway through their maiden Premier League season.

“I love being at this football club and I have shown that,” said the 43-year-old, who signed a three-year contract with the Clarets when he took over in November 2007 with the club mid-table in the Coca-Cola Championship.

“I feel very privileged to be manager of a wonderful football club here.

“I’ve always said I enjoy being at the football club, I enjoy my work and coming through the door every morning.

“I think the players enjoy working for me, the fans like coming and we are trying to build something at the football club.”

Coyle also revealed captain Steven Caldwell is likely to be out for a month with a groin injury and that the club are working hard to extend David Nugent’s loan from Portsmouth.

“David is a player I would like to extend the loan of until the end of the season,” said the Burnley manager.

“Financially, in terms of the cost of it and what his salary would be, it would not be outside the realms of possibility.

“He wants to stay at the club I think that is something we can get done.

“I’d like that to be concluded because I’d like him to be available for the cup tie (against MK Dons) this weekend.”

Burnley have yet to receive permission from Pompey to allow Nugent to play in the FA Cup but tying up an extension to the player’s temporary deal, due to expire next month, would allow him to be included on Saturday.