OWEN Coyle has confirmed he is in talks with Shaun Wright-Phillips but insists he is not prepared to break the bank to sign him, or any other player, in the transfer window.

The England winger has discussed terms with Wanderers but has also been asked to take a pay cut on his current salary, reported to be £60,000-a-week.

“Shaun earns far more than what our threshold is,” said the Whites boss. “So for that to come to fruition there would need to be some give and take somewhere along the line.

“It’s not just an isolated incident. There are other players like that.

“We are still pursuing SWP. But there will come a point when, if we can’t get it done, we’ve tried our best.”

Stoke City have indicated they could match the 29-year-old’s salary but it is understood Wanderers remain in the driving seat because they are able to offer more regular firs team football.

Coyle admits he has been frustrated at times this summer in trying to recruit players, while staying true to his policy of not over-stretching the club’s finances.

“Generally, because players have fantastic salaries at some big clubs and clubs in our own bracket can’t afford to get to those levels,” he explained.

“We are not saying they are not earning good money but there are different levels.

“Sometimes there comes a time as a player you need to look and say ‘Do I sit and not play but earn an unbelievable salary, or do I go and play?’ which for me is what football is all about.

“They are not being short changed because they are still earning fantastic money.

“But because they are on a certain level they don’t want to come below that. If you love the game and you want to play football, then you say I am still earning a great salary but I am playing and I am happy in my work.”