CHRIS Eagles has nailed his colours to the mast by signalling his intention to earn a new contract with Wanderers.

Rumours persist that the Whites could look to cash in on their influential playmaker this month but Eagles insists he is not considering a future elsewhere.

An ankle injury disrupted the first half of the 28-year-old’s season but having started five of the last seven games under Dougie Freedman, he is now determined to show why the club should look to keep him at the Reebok.

“I have never spoken about leaving the club,” he said. “I am here, I am happy.

“The gaffer will vouch for me. It’s just all paper talk.

“I have never once said I am leaving the club or want to. I am a Bolton player and I love playing for them.”

Eagles is one of six players out of contract in the summer, along with Andre Moritz, Stuart Holden, Zat Knight, Tyrone Mears and David Ngog.

Freedman has understandably put a freeze on any talks regarding contract extensions until the club start to move up the table – but with finances now tighter than ever, it seems any player looking to stay on beyond the summer will have to do so on reduced terms.

Eagles – snapped up from Burnley in the summer of 2011 – is not letting the uncertainty over his future affect his thinking but would be happy to remain at the club for at least a fourth season.

“As far as the contract goes I will be speaking to them soon,” he said. “But I am not thinking too much about it because that's when your mind can drift.

“You have seen it with players before. They start concentrating on something else and don't give 100 per cent to their club. I would never do that.

“I love Bolton and that's who I want to play for. I don't really read the papers.”

Eagles made his 100th Bolton appearance against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day but admits his battle to get fully fit this season has affected his form.

“From a personal point of view it's been about my ankle,” he said.

“Everyone knows I love playing football and I love playing for Bolton. I will do anything to play.

“I came back a little bit soon and ended up re-doing the ankle. It's been a tough few months because I have never really been injured. The physio has been telling me to leave it and I have been saying 'no.'

“It’s a learning curve. I have got to stay positive.”