Elmander situation not a problem, insists Coyle

Bolton manager Owen Coyle insists trying to accommodate three strikers into his starting line-up is not proving a thorny issue.

The arrival of Daniel Sturridge on loan from Chelsea in January provided competition for captain Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander and, with the new man scoring three times in as many games, it is Swede Elmander who has had to make way.

The 29-year-old, who has not scored a Premier League goal since the 2-0 win over West Brom on Boxing Day, has played wide on the right in the last two matches.

Elmander's contract runs out in the summer and Coyle will leave it to the striker to decide whether he wants to stay on at the Reebok Stadium, but he is adamant the forward's position on the field is not a bone of contention.

The manager said: "There's absolutely no dilemma about playing any of my players anywhere. Wherever they're asked to play, they'll give everything they can. We have very gifted individual players but their strength will be as a group and what they bring to the team. Johan Elmander has played off to the right, he's played in midfield, as the main striker, behind the main striker and to the left.

"Johan Elmander's a terrific footballer and a very nice lad to go with it. His contract's up in the summer and we've been very transparent about it."