CHRIS Eagles is preparing for a Rocky-style comeback after spending his summer slugging away in a boxing gym.

The former Wanderers man says he is “close” to finding a new club, with some reports suggesting he could link-up again with Owen Coyle, who has been tipped to take over at Blackpool.

Eagles is anxious to get going again after leaving the Whites under a cloud at the end of last season – and has employed a back-to-basics approach in an attempt to stay fit.

“I went down to a boxing gym in Moss Side and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done,” he told The Bolton News.

“I feel really great at the moment, it has been a supportive environment, and I’m ready to go again now.

“I’ve had a few options; it could be two days, it could be two weeks.

“But I’ve been up at 6.30am every morning working with some really great people like Ben Fanning (strength and conditioning coach), Ensley Bingham (boxer) and Maurice Coore (senior coach), who have really helped me a lot.”

The gym, known colloquially as Champs Camp, helped one of Eagles’ ex-Manchester United team-mates Phil Bardsley revive his career at Sunderland last year.

Eagles has not kicked a ball competitively since February 15, when he was taken off in a 1-1 draw at Millwall.

He is now looking to draw a line under his time at Wanderers and get back to regular football.

“It’s a new chapter for me now, so I’m just looking forward,” he said.

But Eagles has ruled out any chance of taking up boxing as a profession, despite taking a shine to the sport.

“I don’t think so,” he laughed. “I’m not cut out for that.”