By Mark Heys
October 29 2007

New Bolton Wanderers manager Gary Megson hopes to fend off interest from the likes of AC Milan and Manchester United after the two recently stepped up their interest in the Trotters top goalscorer Nicolas Anelka.

Anelka was on the scoresheet during yesterday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on the same day that the Sunday People claimed that United where preparing a January swoop for the French international.

Despite the speculation, Megson has already had a constructive chat with the 28-year old forward and he is looking to get even more out of him during the Wanderers fight against relegation.

"Nicolas is a world-class striker and one of the best players I will have worked with. Nicolas is certainly out of the top draw, one of the best forwards in the world, yet we are bottom of the league.

"We need to find a way to get the best out of him. He's a great goalscorer and everybody knows the attributes he has. I've spoken to him on a one-to-one basis and he's impressed me. He just wants to do well for the football club.

"People are going to covet players like him. Nicolas Anelka is one of the best, so it's bound to happen, but he's a great bloke." added the Trotters boss

The Wanderers favourite Anelka was also quick to dismiss talk that he was any less commited following the appointment of Megson as Bolton manager late last week.

"He's the manager," he said, smiling in acknowledgment of the speculation. "When he asks me to do something, I do it. Like Sammy Lee, like Sam Allardyce before There's no problem. It doesn't change." said Anelka

Meanwhile the People claim that Megson is eyeing up loan moves for Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre and Newcastle United's Shola Ameobi after both fell down the pecking order at their respective clubs.