Wanderers boss Owen Coyle is an admirer of Liverpool youngster Jay Spearing but refused to be drawn on a loan bid for the midfielder.

It is no secret Coyle is keen to bolster his engine room this season and it is understood contact has been made with the Anfield club over the 23-year-old’s availability.

But ahead of tonight’s home game against Derby County, the Scot was keeping his cards close to his chest.

Coyle said: “Jay Spearing is a fantastic young player, there is no doubt about that.

“I think we have been linked with a lot of players.

“I think it’s people putting two and two together because it’s a position we have said we would love to strengthen.

“The pursuit of that type of player is ongoing.

“It would be remiss of me to mention individual names.

“If we can get the right type of player we want in, we will certainly look to add to the squad we have.

“The squad we have is a young, progressive squad.

“We probably don’t have that defensive type of midfielder at present who can break up play and build it for ourselves.

“But we still have another couple to come back at some point in David Wheater and Stuart Holden and I think that gives us a very competitive squad.”

Meanwhile, Toronto FC have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign former Wanderers defender Paul Robinson.

The 33-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Leeds United, had been expected to complete a move to the MLS club this week.