STEVE Banks' frustration after being dropped down the Reebok pecking order has not prompted the goalkeeper to ask for a transfer.

The Wanderers' number two was unhappy when he was told on Friday that he had lost his place as understudy to Jussi Jaaskelainen to the veteran, Kevin Poole, who was only signed on a short term contract the previous week.

Sam Allardyce's decision raised a few eyebrows, especially since 38-year-old Poole was pressed into service when Jaaskelainen was injured in the warm-up and Banks had to be called down from the stands to take his place on the subs' bench.

That prompted tabloid speculation over the 29-year-old Londoner's future at the Reebok but his agent, Mark Curtis, insists he has not asked for a move and is prepared to stay and fight for his place.

Curtis, who also represents Sam Allardyce, is responded to the transfer request claim saying: "That is not true, Steve has not handed in a request.

"No goalkeeper is happy when he is not playing first team football, but he hasn't said he is unhappy at Bolton either."

Allardyce, who had praised Banks for his performance on his Premiership debut in the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa a week earlier, was pleased with Poole's performance against Everton but made it clear he needed to address the question of cover for Jaaskelainen as a matter of urgency. He has been negotiating with French international Richard Dutruel in the hope of taking him on loan from Barcelona for the rest of the season. But there has been no progress since the weekend, casting some doubt over whether the ambitious deal, which involves an expensive loan "fee", will go ahead.

With the majority of the Wanderers' squad in the middle of a training break in southern Spain, the reserve team to play at Everton tonight will be less experienced than in recent games.