Coyle promises Bolton survival with a smile

Owen Coyle's laughing cavaliers are taking Bolton Wanderers to safety - with a smile on their faces.

The Bolton gaffer is always game for a giggle and he saw the funny side when a member of staff put up a 'Separated at Birth' poster of him and George Clooney at the club's training HQ.

Coyle, who strenuously denies he was personally responsible, said with a grin: "I can assure you there will be a full investigation to find the culprit."

The new manager has tried to raise spirits at Wanderers since he took over and he thinks his cheery attitude is rubbing off on the likes of Zat Knight, who is now playing the best football of his career.

Coyle said: "It's not down to me, it's down to him. He has everything in his locker to be the top player that he is showing just now.

"I have asked him to take responsibility and he has led by example. He has got a real hunger to do well for himself and the club. He has been outstanding but he has got to keep it up.

"He is also a nice lad with a great sense of humour, he has got a lot of things that I like. Zat has played for England and I can see why - he is as good as anyone about in his position."

Coyle can afford to be happy about a first Premier League away win and two straight victories, but he wants to be sure everyone is taking their survival fight - and tonight's game at Sunderland - very seriously.

He said: "It's made a big difference for us but we know there are seven or eight clubs involved down there and the only way out is to win points.

"The monkey off my back is irrelevant, what is important is the quality of performance and to keep the momentum going."

Bolton will need to reshape their midfield without suspended Tamir Cohen and injured Stuart Holden, Mark Davies and Chris Basham. Ricardo Gardner is set to get a recall.