DEAN Holdsworth has given Colin Todd a selection headache as the Wanderers boss continues to plot a course back to the Premiership . . . and no-one is happier than the manager himself.

A double strike in Saturday's 2-1 win at Sheffield United vindicated Todd's decision to recall the record signing in place of wantaway top scorer Arnar Gunnlaugsson.

Now, having stressed that he picked his team with that specific game in mind rather than as a consequence of the Icelander's transfer request, he must decide whether to stick with the same winning formula for the home game against Norwich on Saturday week.

Holdsworth's sign is certainly in the ascendancy, judging by the manager's celebration of his happy return.

"It means a lot for a goalscorer's confidence to score when they come back into the side," Todd said, "and Dean's come back and scored two. I'm glad he did.

"He was also on target at Port Vale and in the home game against Portsmouth recently and with another two to his name he'll be delighted."

Holdsworth's recent scoring form and the determination with which he has risen to the challenge to his position in the side, has gone a long way to convincing the manager and the Bolton fans that he deserves an extended run, which is all he is asking for to prove his worth.

"To be fair to Dean, he's done brilliant for us this season," Todd said. "He was in the side early on and showed that he'd set his stall out to do well for us. He was doing remarkably well until his injury and was unfortunate, while he was out, that the players who came in played so well.

"It was only the performances of the other two (Gunnlaugsson and Bob Taylor) that kept him out for so long.

"But he's shown the right attitude and taken his chance when it has come along."

A disputed penalty, tucked away by Peter Beagrie three minutes from time, completed a spirited fightback to give Bradford a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Valley Parade last night.

Ashley Westwood had earlier cancelled out David Tuttle's 57th minute opener.

The result took Bradford to within seven points of runaway Division One leaders Sunderland and four points ahead of Wanderers, who stay third in the table with a game in hand.

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