KEVIN Davies sought advice from his ex-Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce after taking the Southport job.

The former England international will take his first step into football management today as the Conference North side take on Gainsborough Trinity at Haig Avenue.

It is a far cry from the European and Premier League arenas he used to grace as a player but Davies intends to take many of the lessons he learned at Bolton on board as he steps into the dugout.

“I have got plenty of people to lean on for advice and I spoke to Big Sam yesterday,” he said. “I’m very proud of what I achieved in my football career but it’s gone now and I’m keen to learn about this side of things. I’ll always be picking their brains.

“Obviously Sam was a massive influence on me. At 26 years old when I was released at Southampton he gave me a chance and I learned an awful lot from him. He’s a family friend and someone I can speak to.

“There were lots of misconceptions about him being long ball but he was way ahead of his game 10-15 years ago and that’s something I will try to do, find those small gains to win football matches.

“That is what was drilled into us every day at Bolton.”