Freedman faces facts, he is the bookies' man for vacant Bolton job (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Palace boss Freedman plays down rumours he is to become the new Bolton manager

9:33am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Football By Tim Ashton

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman will only deal in facts in the face of rumours connecting him to vacant manager's job at Bolton Wanderers.

However, the facts in question were not denying any interest in the job, rather the undeniable fact of an impending London derby this weekend.

The Scot, currently the bookies's favourite to take over from the sacked Owen Coyle, has been in charge at Selhurst Park since January 2011 and, despite a bad start to the Championship season, his Eagles are now flying high in fourth place.

Laughing off suggestions he would be turning up at the Reebok Stadium, Freedman said that anyone intending to have a cheeky flutter on the bet should save their money. 

He said: "I cannot stop speculation, but I am very happy to be playing Millwall this weekend and that’s all I want to say. I cannot deal with speculation, I have too much to do in this job.

"I only deal in facts, and the facts are that I have a game against Millwall this weekend and I am keeping my fingers crossed that my players come back from international duty without any injuries, and I am also keeping my fingers crossed that I have prepared in the best possible way so that we win the match.

"Those are the facts, let's stick to the facts."

He added: "When I was younger, 19 or so, and there was speculation that I'd be playing for Rangers and Celtic, at that age I found it quite difficult to deal with.

"But as you get older, you can brush it aside."

The Eagles' Championship match against London rivals Millwall kicks off at 1pm.