Elmander, whose current deal expires in the summer, has caught the eye this season and will be looking to improve his eight-goal tally against Blackburn on Sunday. The club are in talks with his agent but the Swede has indicated he will wait until the end of the season before deciding on his future. That has given Coyle hope of keeping the player at the Reebok Stadium. He said: "I know Johan is happy. That goes without saying. You can see it in his performances. He would not be performing like he is and playing well if he was not content. "He came with a big price tag and reputation but he has always applied himself in terms of his work rate. "The longer he is here the better chance I have of retaining him for a further period. We will continue the dialogue." Coyle, who arrived from Burnley in January, will welcome former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce to the Reebok Stadium for the first time. And he has nothing but respect for his managerial counterpart, who led the club into Europe for the first time under his stewardship. Allardyce brought in top names like Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Fernando Hierro. He also resurrected the career of current Bolton skipper Kevin Davies. Coyle rails at suggestions that Allardyce is nothing more than a long-ball specialist and said: "I do not buy into that perception. "Blackburn have terrific players. They are a team that are far more than people think they are. David Dunn is a quality player, (El-Hadji) Diouf can play, so too can (Morten Gamst) Pedersen. "If you look at some of the quality players who played under Sam at Bolton getting them in was a marvellous achievement. "He poured his heart and soul into the job. He laid the foundations of everything that goes on at this club. He is a huge part of Bolton's history, the fans know that." Coyle is looking for his team to bounce back following the defeat by Manchester City and has been heartened by continuing messages of support about their style of play. He said: "The players have to try and win games and entertain so the fans remain onside. "When it does come together it is a sight to behold. I hope we can be pleasing on the eye. What we don't want to be is one dimensional. We do not want to be predictable. "You want to be true to yourself and impose yourself on club and be the best I can be. We are improving. Our strength will always be as a group, not the individual." Midfielder Stuart Holden remains doubtful after sitting out the last two games with a thigh injury.
