Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has stated that he "absolutely" wants to sign USA defender Tim Ream, but understands that it is out of his hands.

The New York Red Bulls centre-back has been training with the Trotters this week, following a stint with West Bromwich Albion due to the close of the Major League Soccer season.

While Bolton emerged as favourites to secure Ream's signature this week, Coyle has said that he will respect his MLS club.

"Would we like to have him at the football club? Absolutely," Sky Sports News quotes Coyle as saying. "Red Bulls have said that he is not for sale and that is totally understandable - I would say that about my top players.

"Tim Ream is an outstanding player. He is someone I have known about for a couple of years now and I have watched his games extensively.

"He is a New York Red Bulls player and I wouldn't say anything else beside that because you have to respect that he has come in for a week's training with the permission of the club. We'll leave it at that for the moment, and we'll see what January brings."

Meanwhile, Coyle is preparing his team to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Saturday.