STIG Tofting prefers to let Wanderers' fans see for themselves the type of player Sam Allardyce has added to his survival squad.

"You'll have to watch and make your own decisions," says the combative Dane whose descriptions have ranged from "terrier" to "pocket battleship" and whose stature and combative approach has been likened to that of David Batty and his legendary predecessor in the Leeds midfield, Billy Bremner.

But the tattooed man nicknamed "The Lawn Mower" by a previous manager, leaves little to the imagination when attention is drawn to the wound on his shaven head - the scar of a recent battle.

"I'm at the height for elbows," he says with a wide grin, "so I have to take care of myself."

Allardyce went to a lot of trouble to snap up the 32-year-old Denmark international for the modest fee of £250,000. There was even a hint of subterfuge as he allowed the media to think he was jetting to Germany on Wednesday to sign French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff from Kaiserslautern.

Sure, he watched Kaiserslautern but it wasn't the 33-year-old former PSG and Inter Milan player he was interested in but the 5ft 9ins midfielder who helped SV Hamburg gain a creditable 2-2 draw.

Allardyce was determined not to leave empty-handed and, although it took until 2am on Thursday morning, he knew he had a done deal when he flew back to Bolton some five hours later with the player alongside him.

"It all happened quickly," Tofting said. "But it's what I have always wanted ... to play in the Premiership.

"I always thought my first opportunity to play in another country would be to play in England. Then I suddenly ended up in Germany but when I got the chance, I couldn't let it go."

Tofting, who has a wealth of experience with AGF Arhus and Odense in Denmark as well as in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and MSV Duisburg, knew enough about Bolton from chats on international trips with Per Frandsen - one of three fellow countrymen on the Wanderers' books - to know he could fit in at the Reebok.

"Bolton showed some interest in me and I know from the Danish players who are here that they are all happy," he confirmed.

"I don't think I will have a problem living in Bolton and playing in Bolton. The Danish nationality fits well here.

"We talked about it (with Frandsen) when we were with the national team so the only call I needed to make was to my wife ... and she said it was okay!"

Tofting is a veteran of successful relegation battles with Hamburg and Duisburg and is as determined to help Wanderers avoid the drop as he is to keep his place in the national squad.

"I hope to play here, otherwise I would not have come," he says, "I came here to play football. If I don't I will not go to the World Cup. So that's a very good goal for me.

"But my first task is to help Bolton. This is where I collect my pay cheques and I'll be doing everything I can to help them.

"I see myself as a team player and I will do all I can for the team and, hopefully, it will be enough. Everybody in the team wants to get away from those bottom three places."

Then, with another hint of the qualities he will bring to the Wanderers' midfield, he adds ominously: "I've seen English football since I was five years old and I know most everything about the Premiership.

"I know how English football is played and I know you can't play football here if you can't tackle!"