OWEN Coyle has calmly played down rumours that he has had a run-in with Jussi Jaaskelainen over the club’s new goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes.

Reports at the weekend claimed that the experienced Finn had taken exception to the former Burnley coach’s arrival, at the expense of long-timer mentor Fred Barber, and had confronted the new Wanderers boss.

But Coyle claims he has not seen any evidence of disharmony in the camp after making wholesale backroom staff changes in the last couple of weeks.

“I have been to the training ground every day and I certainly haven’t seen that, unless it was in my sleep,” he said.

“I can assure everyone that the lads have worked their socks off. Football being football, there is always going to be things thrown up, but I certainly wasn’t aware of it. Maybe it was a double, George Clooney or someone.”

Barber remains at the club and is now listed as joint goalkeeping coach on the official website.

He continues to train with Jaaskelainen and Ali Al-Habsi and was present at the Reebok on Saturday to conduct the regular warm-up.

The Bolton News understands that Barber had sought clarification over his role in Coyle’s backroom reshuffle — but that Jaaskelainen has not, as reported, threatened to hand in a transfer request.

“The two of them work together,” Coyle confirmed after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round. “We have five goalkeepers at the football club, and goalkeeping is a specialised position, so that’s how it works. It isn’t rocket science, it is very plain and simple.”