Bolton agreed a fee with the Blues for Cahill in late December but the transfer was thrown into doubt when Andre Villas-Boas revealed they were a long way off sorting out personal terms with the defender.

Villas-Boas has since declared that he does not think the matter will be resolved quickly, but Coyle insists that will not prove disruptive for the Trotters or Cahill.

Coyle admits that everyone's focus over the past couple of weeks has been on picking up as many points as possible during a busy festive period, and he says Cahill's approach has been as professional as ever.

The 26-year-old has become accustomed to finding himself at the centre of transfer speculation in recent seasons, and the Bolton manager is prepared to keep picking him.

Asked for an update on the progress of the Cahill deal, Coyle said on Sky Sports News: "We are where we are.

"The games have come thick and fast and that has obviously restricted people in terms of getting round a table to have dialogue with regards to Gary's representatives and Chelsea.

"We had agreed a fee between the clubs. It is now up to Chelsea and Gary's representatives to conclude that, or not.

"I think there has only been one meeting on that, so we'll take it from there."

Coyle has always maintained that Cahill has the ability to play for any club in the world, and he believes the centre-back has once again demonstrated great character during an uncertain time.

"Gary has prepared and played at a very high level, and he will continue to do that," said Coyle ahead of Bolton's match against Everton on Wednesday.

"He is an outstanding young man, and whatever comes we will deal with it as best we can.

"Gary's coped with endless speculation in every transfer window and he is so focused on his football.

"He has that mental strength and that is why clubs of the stature of Chelsea want him, because he has all those attributes.

"Gary is a part of our squad until such a time as that changes."

Brendan Rodgers' Swans agreed a fee for the 23-year-old with NEC before the transfer window opened and a move had appeared imminent.

But Goossens has decided to see out the season in Nijmegen, the Dutch club confirmed on their official website.

The midfielder is out of contract at NEC at the end of the campaign and looks likely to leave on a free transfer in the summer, having been linked with Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord.

Meanwhile, the Swans have offered ADO Den Haag a trio of players to take on loan this month.

Swansea's co-owner John van Zweden was born in The Hague and is a big fan of his home side, which has prompted the proposal.

ADO board member Paul Beyersbergen says Andrea Orlandi, Dave Cotterill and Tom Butler are the players in question but he is unsure whether the Dutch side will take up the offer.

He told Voetbal International: "They are all interesting players but all three are midfielders.

"At the moment we are full in those positions. However, you never know what might happen with our players Lex Immers or Jens Toornstra."

The Rangers skipper had fired his team into an 11th-minute lead at Loftus Road on Monday, only to then lose his cool following a tussle with Bradley Johnson, when he appeared to headbutt the Norwich midfielder.

After consultation with the assistant, Barton was shown a red card by referee Neil Swarbrick.

The QPR captain used Twitter to hit out at the "ridiculous decision", claiming the officials had been "conned" by Johnson, as Norwich went on to take all three points after goals from Anthony Pilkington and substitute Steve Morison.

Warnock admitted he was in two minds about whether to take the case up with the Football Association's disciplinary panel, with Barton set for an automatic three-match ban.

"I have not got any confidence in the appeals procedure," the QPR boss said.

"When [Wolves manager] Mick McCarthy appeals and does not get that lad [Nenad Milijas] off, you have got to worry about anything appealing.

"We will have to look and see what the referee says [in his report] and if there are any other angles, but from every one I have seen, I don't see a headbutt.

"But I am not optimistic. We will have to decide later."

Warnock added: "Joey could have avoided the situation, but it doesn't warrant the reaction from Johnson.

"He has not been headbutted at all, not in a million years. The movement of him going backwards has conned the referee.

"To go back like he did was a disgrace. It's getting a fellow pro sent off. I think he should be done (punished)."

Barton was hopeful an appeal would be lodged.

He said on Twitter: "Hopefully referee sees it retrospectively and sees he's been conned. Its no consolation for us right now but at least its something.

"Feel for the officials, they've been conned. Admitted to me at HT they never saw it. I was pulled back 1st, then kicked 2nd.

"Linesman definitely never saw it, all he seen was Johnsons reaction. My head dosent move forward at all. Ridiculous decision seen 25 replays.

"I'd be 1st to apologise if I'd reacted. Cannot apologise as I know I've not head butted anyone."

The defeat was an eighth in the last 11 for Rangers, who are hovering just outside the relegation zone.

Warnock named on-loan Manchester United striker Federico Macheda among the substitutes and is expected to do more business in the January transfer window.

The QPR manager said: "We will regroup, hopefully get a couple of players and then look forward to the second half of the season."

In the end, Norwich were good value for their victory, which was hard-earned after keeper John Ruddy pushed Adel Taarabt's free-kick onto the post before Morison's 83rd-minute strike sealed victory.

The Canaries were promoted behind QPR from the Championship last season, and have exceeded all expectations to sit comfortably in mid-table.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert knows there are plenty more challenges ahead over the next five months.

"We will take one game at a time now, and if this club survives in its first year, it will be monumental for us," he said.