Whites deny any interest in Fulham midfielder Bullard

11:10am Tuesday 14th October 2008

WANDERERS have dismissed speculation linking the club with Jimmy Bullard.

Reports at the weekend suggested Gary Megson would move for the Fulham midfielder, pictured below, in the January transfer window.

The Bolton boss expressed his interest in the 29-year-old in August – and was rumoured to be set to make a fresh offer for the £4million-rated player in the new year.

But a Wanderers spokesman has told The Bolton News that the club are no longer pursuing the Cottagers star.

Ali Al Habsi, meanwhile, looks set to leave the Reebok, according to his agent Peter Harrison.

The Whites goalkeeper’s contract expires at the end of the season and he has yet to be offered a new one.

The 26-year-old Oman international has been forced to play second fiddle to Jussi Jaskelainen, making just 16 appearances since joining from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in January 2006.

And Wanderers, who rejected a £1m bid for Al Habsi from Blackburn earlier in the season, now appear willing to allow the keeper to move on.

“Ali is in the last year of his contract and they haven’t offered him anything,” said Harrison.

“Several clubs in the Premier League are very interested in signing him.

“I don’t know why Bolton haven’t offered him a contract, maybe you have to ask the manager, Gary Megson, or the chairman.

“It’s strange that Andy O’Brien and Kevin Davies have had extensions when Ali hasn’t been offered anything. Obviously they don’t want to keep him.”

Nine Bolton players are set to be involved in midweek international action.

Ricardo Gardner led Jamaica to a 1-0 victory against Mexico on Saturday to boost his side’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, and the Reggae Boyz captain will be back in action against Honduras tomorrow.

Ebi Smolarek helped Poland, who now travel to Slovakia, go top of Group Three with a 2-1 win against Czech Republic.

Jaaskelainen kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 triumph against Azerbaijan ahead of Finland’s trip to Russia, while reserve keeper Adam Bogdan, who played no part in Hungary’s 2-0 defeat of Albania, will be part of his country’s squad to face Malta.

Heidar Helguson played in Iceland’s 2-0 defeat against Holland, but Gretar Steinsson was not involved. The pair now face Macedonia at home.

Tamir Cohen, who did not figure in Israel’s 3-1 win against Luxembourg, will be in Latvia.

Joey O’Brien will be pressing for a place in Giovanni Trapattoni’s team for the Republic of Ireland’s home game against Cyprus after having a free weekend.

Johan Elmander is back at the Reebok after Sweden’s goalless draw with Portugal, as is Nigeria’s Danny Shittu after he helped his country overcome Sierra Leone 4-1.

Fabrice Muamba was not even on the substitutes’ bench for England Under-21s’ 3-2 first-leg play-off victory against Wales at Ninian Park on Friday night.

But the midfielder hopes to be involved in tonight’s return leg at Villa Park as Stuart Pearce’s team look to book their place in next summer’s European Championships in Sweden.