Coyle has no regrets about Wilshere

05 August 2010 19:30

Owen Coyle accepts he may not be able to bring Jack Wilshere back to Bolton but feels the teenager's time at the Reebok Stadium has played an important role in his progress to the verge of a senior England call-up.

The 18-year-old impressed after joining Bolton on loan in January and Wanderers boss Coyle has been keen to re-sign Wilshere for the 2010-11 campaign. That prospect seems unlikely after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger indicated at the weekend that he would give the youngster a chance to stake a claim for first-team action this term.

"It's well documented that we would like to have him back for another six months," Coyle said.

"I have to say it looks like Arsenal are going to keep a hold of him, and you can understand why.

"He is absolutely quality and I'm led to believe that there is a chance he could be in the England squad.

"If he is, then it will be merited, it will be just, it will be a great reward for him and I think the football club will realise we have played a little part in that.

"I've always left the door open with Arsenal and Arsene, saying that if he felt after the season starts that Jack is not going to start games, then we would welcome him with open arms for six months and hopefully give him back in January a far batter player than what we got - because we already did that."

Source: PA