COLIN Todd today called for a code a practice to prevent managers conducting transfer business through the media.

The Bolton boss is concerned that some fellow managers choose to express their interest in players via newspapers rather than direct to their target's club.

Todd, who prefers to keep his interest in potential signings private until deals are completed, wants legislation imposing to reduce the amount of unsettling speculation.

His call comes after Peter Beardsley was linked with a move to Kevin Keegan's Fulham revolution and Alan Thompson was said to be the subject of a £4million bid from Spurs hours before Saturday's rousing 2-2 fightback at Crystal Palace.

Bolton have had no contact from either club for the players and Todd said: "Managers should watch what they say.

"I never say anything about players I am targeting and there should be a code of practice which says that anything that is done is done through the two managers." Todd, who was not targeting Keegan or Spurs' Gerry Francis in particular, added: "As a manager I am an admirer of certain players but I don't go around telling the media that I fancy signing them.

"There is no code of conduct and I think there has got to be such a code between managers.

"I know a lot of managers would be admirers of Alan Thompson in just the same way as I am an admirer of other players. He is a good player but any approaches for players have got to be done in the right manner.

"In Alan Thompson's case if there was an approach there would be nothing happening anyway. I get annoyed when some managers do things behind other managers' backs and through the media.

"I don't deal that way myself. Managers must conduct themselves properly and do things the right way.

"I deal with managers about players in the correct fashion and in secret which is the way it has got to be done, not through the media."

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