Cahill will keep playing, says Coyle

Owen Coyle says Gary Cahill will remain in the Bolton squad despite the defender’s imminent move to Chelsea.

Cahill captained the side in Saturday’s draw with Wolves in the Premier League and looks set to do so again when Bolton travel to Everton on Wednesday.

Although Chelsea and Bolton have agreed to a few, Coyle said he was sure Cahill would continue to give his best for Wanderers until he left the Reebok Stadium.

“Gary’s coped with endless speculation, certainly every transfer window that I’ve been here since the last two years ago when I came in,” Coyle said.

“He’s so focused on his football and he has that mental strength and that’s why clubs of the stature of Chelsea admire him and want him as one of their players, because he has all those attributes.”

“We’ll certainly have a chat with the players as we always do and prepare for a tough game at Everton.”

“Gary’s a part of our squad until such time as that changes with regards to something coming to agreement.”

Coyle said he expected the deal to be completed soon, but said the busy festive schedule for both teams was holding up the deal.

“Where we are the games have come thick and fast and that’s obviously restricted people in terms of getting around a table and have a dialogue with regards to Gary and his representatives and Chelsea football club,” he said.

“They played again yesterday so where we are, I’ve said before we’ve agreed a fee between the clubs and it’s now up to Chelsea and Gary’s representatives to conclude that or not.”

Bolton remain rooted to the foot of the table, four points from safety, but Coyle said he was confident his players could rise to the challenge, starting at Everton on Wednesday.

“They (Everton) have an outstanding group of players and they’re led by a fantastic manager,” Coyle said.

“David (Moyes) is a gem of a man, we know each other a little bit from our playing days but David Moyes could manage anybody in world football and have success because of the qualities he has and that goes without saying.”

“We also know aswell that there their players in the squad, they weren’t able to spend significant amounts in the summer, but what they did is they added quality.”

“We know it’s a tough game but we always enjoy going to Goodison. We lost with a 94th minute goal there last year which was a source of annoyance at the time but we know we can pick up points and that’s what we have to do.”