Bolton Wanderers have again distanced themselves from reports linking the club with Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton.

The Newcastle player is currently serving a six-month prison sentence for assault and affray following an attack on a man outside a Liverpool McDonald's restaurant in December last year.

There have been stories linking him with a return to football at Bolton upon his release.

But chairman Phil Gartside has already categorically stated his club will not be entering any negotiations with the 25-year-old, and today the club clarified their position further.

A Trotters spokesperson said: "At no point has any representative of Bolton Wanderers expressed an interest in or made an enquiry about Joey Barton.

"We would like to reiterate that Bolton Wanderers is not interested in the services of Barton."