Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle's job could depend on the next four games.

The Daily Mail says he is reeling from six straight league defeats but can count on boardroom sympathy over a fixture list that has pitted him against both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Patience will begin to wear thin, though, if he fails to make the most of a less daunting run between now and the next round of internationals next month.

Bolton follow Saturday's visit to fellow strugglers Wigan with games against Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke, and an increasingly anxious Phil Gartside will launch an urgent review of his side's failings if they are still in the bottom three after that.

Though Bolton's chairman is confident Coyle can stop the rot, his overriding concern is ensuring his club retain their Premier League status.