WHITES defender Marcos Alonso is fully focused on dumping Premier League opposition out of the FA Cup this month – rather than plying his trade there.

The young Spaniard is enjoying life back in the Wanderers first team after five successive outings and hopes to make it a happy half dozen with a cup replay win at Sunderland tonight to earn a crack at Everton in the fourth round.

And while there has been talk of a bid for him from the top-flight, with Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup reportedly casting admiring glances his way from South Wales, the 22-year-old only has eyes for cup glory and staying in the Wanderers side.

Alonso said: “I am really pleased as it is the first time I have played four games in a row. Everything is going all right and I am just trying to keep going.

“It has been hard with so many injuries. But football changes quickly and now I am really happy. I am working hard, as I have over the last three years, to stay in the team.

“Every player wants to play every game, especially when you are playing in the FA Cup, and against a Premier League side, and I think we can cause an upset.

“Football is always 11 v 11. In the game at the Reebok we were much better than them so we will play our game and see what happens.

“That is my main focus. I don’t read anything (about transfer speculation).

“My head is in Bolton and I just want to get back with Bolton to the Premier League.

“As for Swansea, I have not spoken to anyone and from the club, and they haven’t told me anything.”

Alonso played just once for Wanderers in the two months prior to his return against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day. Despite defeat that day, he retained his place and scored in the next game against Birmingham.

And with Stephen Warnock now back at Aston Villa after his loan ended, Alonso knows he has a chance to cement his place at left-back.

He added: “Now Stephen has gone it is my chance and I want to keep my place. I will keep working hard.

“I am happy now. The manager is doing a great job. And, as I said, if we win two or three games we will get our confidence back and the fans back.

“The rest of the season will be better and we will be in the fight to be in the Premier League.

“We didn’t win last weekend but we did our best against Millwall. They didn’t really have anything after their goal but if we get the three points at Palace on Saturday it will be good.

“We wanted the three points against Millwall, but that game is gone. We have to think about winning matches and if we get two or three wins in a row, it will be good for us.”