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Phil Parkinson insists Erhun Oztumer is not angling for a move away from Wanderers.
Sunderland and Charlton Athletic have made enquiries about the out-of-favour midfielder, who was drafted on to the bench as a last-minute replacement in Friday night’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol City in the FA Cup.
Oztumer has failed to command a regular starting place since joining the club on a free transfer from Walsall in the summer.
A return to League One has now been mooted – but Parkinson reckons the 27-year-old will want to stay and fight for his place.
“We have had a couple of calls about Ozzie but he’s not banging on the door to go at all,” said the Bolton boss. “He wants to prove himself at this level.”
Oztumer has made 15 appearances in league and cup for Wanderers this season but has not started a game since November 10.
The rise to prominence of youngsters Joe Pritchard and Luca Connell have given Parkinson more options in the middle of the park – which might mean they are more receptive to offers should Oztumer’s suitors firm up their interest before Thursday’s deadline.
Meanwhile, Parkinson is preparing his side for their biggest game of the season tomorrow night as relegation rivals Reading visit the University of Bolton Stadium.
The Royals sit one place and one point ahead of Bolton at start of play but the manager feels his side has shown enough improvement in recent weeks to go into the match with confidence.
“We have got to be ready for a terrific night,” he said.
“Playing football is about playing under pressure and dealing with it.
“We have got to carry on playing the way we have in the last two games.”
David Wheater, Marc Wilson and Jonathan Grounds were all ruled out of Friday’s game at Bristol with minor injuries and illnesses but a question mark also hangs over goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, who was replaced late by Ben Williams at Ashton Gate and has been nursing a hip problem.
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Sunderland and Charlton Athletic have made enquiries about the out-of-favour midfielder, who was drafted on to the bench as a last-minute replacement in Friday night’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol City in the FA Cup.
Oztumer has failed to command a regular starting place since joining the club on a free transfer from Walsall in the summer.
A return to League One has now been mooted – but Parkinson reckons the 27-year-old will want to stay and fight for his place.
“We have had a couple of calls about Ozzie but he’s not banging on the door to go at all,” said the Bolton boss. “He wants to prove himself at this level.”
Oztumer has made 15 appearances in league and cup for Wanderers this season but has not started a game since November 10.
The rise to prominence of youngsters Joe Pritchard and Luca Connell have given Parkinson more options in the middle of the park – which might mean they are more receptive to offers should Oztumer’s suitors firm up their interest before Thursday’s deadline.
Meanwhile, Parkinson is preparing his side for their biggest game of the season tomorrow night as relegation rivals Reading visit the University of Bolton Stadium.
The Royals sit one place and one point ahead of Bolton at start of play but the manager feels his side has shown enough improvement in recent weeks to go into the match with confidence.
“We have got to be ready for a terrific night,” he said.
“Playing football is about playing under pressure and dealing with it.
“We have got to carry on playing the way we have in the last two games.”
David Wheater, Marc Wilson and Jonathan Grounds were all ruled out of Friday’s game at Bristol with minor injuries and illnesses but a question mark also hangs over goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, who was replaced late by Ben Williams at Ashton Gate and has been nursing a hip problem.
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