Owen Coyle: 'Keeping Kevin Davies was a no-brainer'

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has stated that Kevin Davies never intended to leave the club, despite interest from Sunderland.

The 34-year-old striker, who has lost his place in Coyle's regular side, was linked with a switch to Sunderland after manager Martin O'Neill confirmed his interest in the player.

"He wants to be at Bolton, I want him at Bolton and it was a no-brainer what was going to happen in the January window," said Coyle.

"Sunderland were accredited with an initial interest through the media before I got a phone call, but we said to them I wanted him to be here and he wanted to be here.

"He is bursting to play and the experienced players have a big part to play with the younger ones and that keeps David Ngog on his toes and allows us to change systems as well."

Reports on deadline day claimed that the frontman was in talks with Bolton over a new deal.