Wigan chairman David Whelan has confirmed that former manager Paul Jewell is free to take over at Bolton if he and the club wished.

It was believed that Jewell would have to wait six months before accepting a new post after walking out on Wigan at the end of last season.

But Whelan announced: "Paul could take the Bolton job tomorrow and he would have my full support."

Bolton have been searching for a new manager since the departure of Sammy Lee last week with Archie Knox taking temporary charge.

Chairman Phil Gartside is expected to step up his pursuit of Gary Megson this week and is believed to be prepared to pay Leicester around £300,000 in compensation to get him.

Hours before the Foxes' home defeat by Sheffield United last night, Bolton approached Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric for a second time seeking permission to speak to Megson.

Mandaric, as he did over the weekend, rejected the Premier League strugglers' request. Megson, 48, who has yet to sign the three-year contract he agreed six weeks ago when he replaced Martin Allen, claimed to know nothing about the latest approach.

But he dodged questions asking if he would be in charge when the Foxes host Barnsley at the weekend.

"I don't know," said Megson. "I have not spoken to the chairman since Sunday so I am unaware of all the facts. The facts at the moment appear to be all about me but they don't include me so I am not telling anyone anything.

"I am the manager of Leicester and I just want to talk about Leicester. I am going to see the chairman to talk about where we are going."