Bolton boss Dougie Freedman has revealed that Trotters midfielder Chris Eagles turned down the chance to join the Blues and Charlton prior to last week’s emergency loan deadline. The 28-year-old is currently out of favour at the Reebok Stadium but Freedman dismisses claims that there has been falling out with the one-time Manchester United trainee.
"There was a Charlton phone call and we said to him he could go and speak with them and play some football, which he didn’t take up,” Freedman told the Bolton News.
"Then we had a call from Ipswich, but Chris felt the location wasn’t right for him. I can’t guarantee him football right now so I thought it right to give him the chance, but he didn’t take it.”
He added: "It is not the case that I have a problem with him. If he continues to work hard and knuckle down, he’ll be available for selection.”
Eagles hasn’t played since starting the 1-1 draw at Millwall on February 15th, although has spent some time on the sidelines with an eye infection recently but is back in full training now.
Freedman says other players established themselves in the side in his absence: "We’ve grown into a team where certain players have come in and held on to their position. I can only pick 10 outfield players.
"You’d like to think the ones not picked would be fighting their way back in, but some can’t quite handle that situation, some sulk, some can’t handle the mental side and don’t train every week.
"Chris had an eye problem and we went to Leeds, won 5-1, and he found himself out of the team.”
Eagles is out of contract in the summer and seems unlikely to be offered new terms by Bolton with Derby having been linked with a close season move.
Hemel Hempstead-born Eagles joined the Manchester United academy from Watford when 14 but was unable to establish himself as a regular first-team player at Old Trafford.
He spent time on loan back at Watford (twice), Sheffield Wednesday and in Holland with NEC while with the Red Devils before joining Burnley on a permanent basis in 2008. He moved on to Bolton three years later.