Davies determined to keep playing a lead role for Wanderers (From The Bolton News)

Davies determined to keep playing a lead role for Wanderers

7:15am Tuesday 15th July 2008 in

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NOT for the first time, Kevin Davies is faced with the prospect of a new, big-money signing challenging his lead role.

Gary Megson's successful pursuit of Sweden international Johan Elmander means that Davies's position as a pivotal figure in the Reebok set-up once again comes under threat.

But the man who joined Wanderers on a free transfer from Southampton five years ago and has retained his position in the face of stiff competition from the likes of El-Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka, is not in the last bit fazed by Elmander's reputation, or his £11million price tag.

"I've always welcomed new players in," Davies says with the matter-of-fact air of a man who was born again when he arrived at the Reebok after the confidence-sapping experience of being branded an expensive flop at Blackburn and a high-profile reject at Southampton.

"It's good competition and I don't mind that at all. Maybe he can give me a boost as well. But I'm not too concerned about that. I'll do my work in pre-season and get into the games as quickly as possible.

"I'm really confident going into the new season."

See the full story in Tuesday's The Bolton News