Wigan chairman David Whelan has confirmed that former manager Paul Jewell is free to take over at Bolton if he and the club wished.

It was believed that Jewell would have to wait six months before accepting a new post after walking out on Wigan at the end of last season.

But Whelan told the Manchester Evening News: "Paul could take the Bolton job tomorrow and he would have my full support."

Bolton have been searching for a new manager since the departure of Sammy Lee last week with Archie Knox taking temporary charge.