Former Bolton Wanderers assistant manager Phil Brown is backing current boss Owen Coyle to turn them back into a top half side in the Premier League. "Owen did a fabulous job after taking over with them in the relegation zone," Brown told BBC Radio Manchester.

"I'd like to think he could now get Bolton into the top 10. He looks like the kind of manager that can motivate.

"He's an attack-minded manager and he wants to play good football, so that bodes well for Bolton."

Brown was assistant to Sam Allardyce at the Reebok Stadium in the days when Bolton established themselves in the Premier League and even qualified for Europe.

"I was impressed by some of the football they played," said Brown, following his departure from Hull City.

"You need a lot of luck and you need a lot of support, but you need a manager who is positive minded and Owen Coyle certainly is that".