BOLTON Wanderers are strong enough and determined enough to repel any Spurs attempt to prise Alan Thompson away from the Reebok.

That was the message of reassurance from an angry Colin Todd today as the transfer speculation intensified that the desperate Londoners are homing in on the former England Under 21 star.

"I couldn't care less if there is a big offer on its way to us," the manager insisted. "It's a measure of how far this football club has come when I can say we wouldn't let a player like Alan Thompson go.

"Things might have been different in the past but I can say for sure that if a bid came in it would be turned down."

Todd vehemently denied reports claiming Spurs had made an official bid for Thompson, reportedly £4.8 million.

"I've heard nothing from Gerry Francis," Todd explained. "In fact I've got to phone him myself to give him a rollicking about all this nonsense appearing in the newspapers."

Having already called for managers to adopt a code of practice preventing clubs conducting transfer business through the media, Todd has been further angered by the tabloids, with their sources in London, suggesting Thompson could triple his wages, earning £3.5 million in five years, if he went to Spurs.

Blasting the speculation, he said: "The FA should step in. Some of the detail that is appearing in the newspapers must be coming from somewhere. Contracts and wages are matters which should be kept 'in-house'.

"The whole business is getting out of hand."

Wanderers have also been angered by continuing claims that new-signing Peter Beardsley will be Kevin Keegan's first transfer target when he sets about fashioning Fulham future.

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