Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway is battling Bolton Wanderers for Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste.

The Mirror says Holloway is trying to persuade defender Baptiste to join the Premier League new boys in a raid that is upsetting Trotters boss Doug Freedman.

Baptiste agreed to sign for Bolton a month ago and has sorted out terms on the deal - and put pen to paper.

Baptiste is due to be officially announced as a Wanderers player on July 1, but Palace are working on getting him away - or even buying him from Bolton.