Coyle: Davies going nowhere

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has rubbished reports suggesting captain Kevin Davies will join West Ham United in January.

Davies, 34, is an integral part of Coyle’s side, having missed just two league matches for Bolton this season.

And Coyle has no interest in letting him re-join former manager Sam Allardyce, the man who brought Davies to the Reebok Stadium in 2003.

It is not the first time the striker has been linked with a move to West Ham this season, but Coyle insists the player still has a pivotal role to play in the club’s fight against relegation from the Premier League.

“Kevin Davies is my captain and a big part of our plans, as he always has been,” Coyle said.

“Aside from his footballing abilities, Kevin is an outstanding man. He is a leader and a bit of speculation doesn’t change that.”

“There is nothing factual in the West Ham link. I have had no dialogue with Sam.”

Coyle expects Davies to be involved when Bolton take on champions Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

“You need players with big hearts, that are brave enough to get on the ball, pass and move and who can go into arenas like Old Trafford and perform,” he said. “Kevin is one of those.”