DEAN Holdsworth won the admiration of one of his legendary predecessors when he refused to let Newcastle dent his determination.

Wyn Davies, the Welsh centre-forward who led the Wanderers attack in the Sixties before winning European honours with Newcastle, offered tributes and sympathy in equal measures to the Reebok striker, who was the subject of weekend tabloid transfer speculation claiming he is up for sale, despite having signed a new two year contract in the summer.

"I felt sorry for Dean," Davies said after seeing the Magpies win the duel of his former clubs. "I wouldn't like to be up front with four men marking me.

"It's a hard job and he did well but I thought he needed someone like Ricketts in there to help him put pressure on the Newcastle defence.

"But he surprised me with all that running he did."

Davies, who is retired and lives in Bolton, has fond memories of all his former clubs - including the two Manchester rivals - but confesses a special bond with Newcastle where his career reached a pinnacle in 1969 with the winning of the old European Inter Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the UEFA Cup. His half-time appearance at the Reebok sparked the old chant of "Mighty Wyn" from the travelling Geordies.

"I couldn't believe it," he said emotionally. "I was nearly in tears when I went towards the Newcastle people, especially when they started singing that.

"I've got a soft spot for all the teams I played for but Newcastle has always been extra special because that was the pinnacle of my career.

"And if I'm being fair I always thought Newcastle had the upper hand on Saturday - they have a lot of star players in their side. Bolton did well first half but they were unfortunate when the goalkeeper had to go off.

"I live in Bolton and I get on with the Bolton people but I must admit it's going to be tough for the team this season.

"But that fight for survival at the bottom is probably going to be more exciting and more interesting than the battle at the top. Ipswich, Charlton, Southampton, Derby and Leicester are all in there and I'm looking forward to seeing how it's going to shape up.

"I hope Bolton make it."