LESSER players might buckle under the pressure but Jay-Jay Okocha is more than happy shouldering the responsibility of guiding Wanderers into the Premiership safety zone.

Sam Allardyce has cast the super-talented captain of the world famous Super Eagles in the role of creator-in-chief as he looks for influence and inspiration in the fight for top flight survival.

Okocha is not only willing to accept the role - as he showed when he made his match-winning intervention against Birmingham on Saturday - he actually thrives on it.

"The reason I came to Bolton was to help the team in terms of creativity," says the legendary Nigerian who arrived at the Reebok from Paris St Germain in the summer with a massive reputation as a major player at club as well as international level.

"They expect a lot from me and I try to do my best to make a difference when I get the ball.

"I feel there is pressure on me to do well but I'm not bothered about that because it can only get the best out of me. I'm not scared about being under pressure and that is doing me good."

Behind World Cup and European Championship winner Youri Djorkaeff, Okocha is the biggest impact signing Wanderers have ever made.

But, unlike the Frenchman who was an instant success when he arrived from Kaiserslautern a year ago, injuries have prevented him stamping his authority in the way Bolton chiefs hoped when they committed themselves to an expensive two-year contract.

That changed at the weekend, how ever, prompting Sam Allardyce to enthuse: "He frightens the opposition with his outstanding ability and the final ball he was playing on Saturday was the best he's done since he's been here."

More encouraging still is that Okocha reckons there is still plenty to come once he gets his fitness levels back.

"It hasn't been easy for me to come back into the side after missing a few games through injury," he admits, "but not as difficult as when I was injured at the start of the season because I know the league better now.

"I am enjoying my football a little bit more - not quite completely because we are still under big pressure. If we can get a few more points I will start to enjoy myself more."

Allardyce has warned every player brought in from abroad that the Premiership's demands are tougher than anything they have experienced. Some adjust better than others and the manager cannot be sure how quickly new recruits, Salva Ballesta and French duo Pierre-Yves Andre and Florent Laville, will adapt.

Okocha added: "I've played against the two new players. They will both help. It might take a while but I hope that with the help of our French players they will adjust quickly.

"But you can talk as much as you want, there's nothing like getting out there in a game and finding out for yourself."