OWEN Coyle admits he is no closer to signing Colombia international Carlos Sanchez than he was six weeks ago.

Wanderers ’ chase for the powerhouse midfielder, nicknamed “The Rock”, has become a frustrating one, with little light at the end of the tunnel.

Planned talks have been delayed and cancelled, while negotiations have become complicated because of the number of agents who claim to be representing the player.

Sanchez left French club Valenciennes at the end of last season and has since represented his country in a World Cup qualifier in June but Coyle says he has yet to meet the 26-year-old in person.

While Wanderers explore their options to replace Nigel Reo-Coker in the holding midfield role, the door is understood to still be open for the deal to be resurrected.

But while it seems Kalifa Cisse will be allowed to pursue his career elsewhere after spending the last week on tour with Wanderers in Scotland, it seems Coyle may have to reluctantly accept his efforts to land Sanchez will come to nothing.

“Sanchez was a player I made an enquiry about five or six weeks ago,” he told The Bolton News .

“He’s a Colombia international and a very good player but that’s all it was, I’ve not had any more dialogue since.

“If you have had an interest in someone, there will always be stories that then go along with that, and add on, but as I sit here right now I’m no further forward.”

Meanwhile, Wanderers face Falkirk in the final game of their pre-season trip tonight with no fresh injury worries.

David Ngog was on light training duties again yesterday and is unlikely to be risked after missing the first two games of the summer with a back strain. Coyle will select from the players who were on duty at Hamilton.