OWEN Coyle is believed to be sticking to his guns in his valuation of Wanderers keeper Ali Al-Habsi.

Wigan Athletic are reported to have made an increased bid of £3million for the Oman international whose loan spell at the DW Stadium last season was key to their successful battle to beat the Premiership drop.

But Coyle and his Reebok bosses appear in no rush to do a deal and seem determined not to budge on their £5million asking price for the 29-year-old who has also been linked with Aston Villa following the departure of American Brad Friedel to Tottenham.

It looks increasingly likely that Al-Habsi will move this summer but, if no one matches Wanderers’ valuation, he could return to the Reebok to mount a serious challenge to Jussi Jaaskelainen for the number one slot.

Coyle, meanwhile, has expressed his delighted with Danny Ward’s progress following his successful loan spell at Huddersfield.

The young forward suffered a wretched first half of the season after being dogged by injury.

He was sent to Coventry in September to continue his development after signing a new three-year deal with Wanderers, but the 19-year-old’s loan move was cut short after just five games with the Championship club when he was forced to return to the Reebok and undergo a hernia operation.

The Bradford-born winger struggled for fitness when he returned to the reserves at Christmas before being snapped up by Huddersfield in March.

Just as he had with Swindon 12 months ago, Ward played a huge part in helping the League One outfit reach the play-off final, scoring five goals in as many games to fire the Terriers to Old Trafford where they lost 3-0 to Peterborough.

Coyle has been left with just one recognised striker (Kevin Davies) following the departures of Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge.

And the Wanderers manager, who must now decide whether the former Leeds trainee is good enough to step up to the first-team squad next season, has been impressed with his form.

"I’ve been delighted with his level of performances,” said Coyle.

"He is a terrific young player who is only going to get better.”