Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has admitted that the Wanderers cannot afford to rule out the idea of foreign ownership. However, he insists any interested party would need to assure him that they had the right credentials, and right resources, for the job.

Major shareholder at The Reebok Stadium, Eddie Davies is not actively pursuing a sale, but Gartside admits they cannot ignore the possibility of overseas interest.

"There is a point in business - whether it is football or otherwise - where you have to say 'yes, I'll do that deal'," he told The Bolton News.