OWEN Coyle could call in his favour from Chelsea to land Spanish star Oriol Romeu.

Wanderers are owed a player on loan from Stamford Bridge as part of Gary Cahill’s £7million switch in January.

It seemed Coyle would hold that ace up his sleeve until next summer, when the Whites boss hopes to be planning for a return to the Premier League.

But after calling time on his chase for Colombia international Carlos Sanchez, reports suggest he will now try to set up a meeting with the 20-year-old former Barcelona youth product when he flies into the country to play for the Spanish Olympic team.

Coyle perhaps faces an uphill task to convince Romeu to drop down to the Championship after he featured 22 times in all competitions for the Blues last season.

But after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in early March, he played just twice under Roberto Di Matteo, who was made permanent boss this summer after delivering the FA Cup and Champions League.

Speaking in June, the Catalan starlet had his sights set on earning a first team place under the Italian.

“Di Matteo is at Chelsea and so am I. I have a contract, and my dream is to play,” he said.

“I demonstrated to myself that I could play early in the season, and I think I’m able. Hopefully next season I will enjoy more minutes on the pitch.

“For me, the season at Chelsea has been spectacular, especially the achievement of winning the Champions League. It’s something I always dreamed of as a child.”

Whether Villas-Boas decides to factor Romeu into his reshaping plans at Tottenham could also come into the equation over the coming weeks.

But Coyle has a high success rate in luring top young players to the Reebok on loan, based largely on his sterling work with Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge – who is likely to give a glowing reference to his Chelsea team-mate about his time in the North West.

Romeu will play for a strong Spain squad at the Olympics this summer and could potentially gain even more suitors if the tournament favourites live up to their billing. And that could put the emphasis on Wanderers agreeing a deal earlier rather than later.

The immediate transfer target for Coyle is goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, and it is expected the club will launch a second bid for the 28-year-old this week.

Leeds United turned down their initial offer and have warned they will not entertain selling the former Preston North End man until QPR stopper Paddy Kenny is secured.

That deal is expected to go through on Wednesday, which should pave the way for the Whites to make another move.