Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle is eyeing Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland.
The Daily Mail says Coyle will consider reviving interest in Ireland after being given potentially bad news on Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The Manchester City winger's hopes of a loan move to Bolton or Fulham disappeared after Adam Johnson suffered an ankle injury in training. Johnson had scans and will see a specialist, but he is expected to be out for at least 10 days.
Wright-Phillips is an obvious replacement on the right flank and, with Michael Johnson set to follow Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz out on loan, manager Roberto Mancini is reluctant to lose any more players.