EL-HADJI Diouf has reinforced his commitment to the Bolton cause by putting team spirit and honest endeavour above personal glory on his priority list.

The supremely talented Senegal striker has a reputation as something of a maverick, a showman who craves to be the centre of attention.

But Wanderers fans have seen a different side of the sometimes-controversial African ace - a player prepared to drive himself tirelessly and selflessly within the framework of a team whose work ethic is its major asset.

Diouf has never been a shirker, but his performances in the victories over Portsmouth and Liverpool - results that lifted Wanderers to within two points of top spot in the Premiership - have been outstanding. Nothing fancy and not even a chance to add to the penalty he converted in the draw at Fulham, which remains his only goal of the season, but crucial nevertheless in securing six much-needed points.

It was a performance that drew an acknowledgement from Sam Allardyce that the player whose dedication to training he questioned at the end of last season was "back to his best".

But Diouf says no one should be surprised that he is prepared to graft.

"I have always been a worker," he said. "I know people think of me as a player who only wants to score goals but, more than anything, I want Bolton to win games and I am always prepared to work hard for the team.

"It's not all about Diouffy scoring. If I score and the team loses, that is no good. If I don't score and we win, I am happy."

Saturday's 2-0 victory over former club, Liverpool, was especially satisfying for Diouf, who cost £10m when he moved to Anfield from Lens after starring for Senegal in the 2002 World Cup, but was later described by manager Gerrard Houllier as "an expensive mistake".

And the irony will not have been lost on the travelling Kopites, who ceaselessly booed and barracked him, that he made such a major contribution for Wanderers in the wide position where he objected to playing under Houllier.

Typical of the man, he milked the occasion for all it was worth and was last to leave the field after striding over to the Nat Lofthouse Stand to toss his shirt to his adoring Bolton fans.

"You can't win games like that without working hard," he stressed. "I know that and that is what I am always prepared to do.

"But I am not the only one. Kevin Davies works, Nicolas Anelka works, we all work for the team and for the gaffer.

"We are team-mates and we all work together for each other. Sometimes the games will be hard for us, but that's OK.

"People might be surprised that Diouffy is happy working hard but I have always known that there is more to football than scoring goals."

Gary Speed, whose wholehearted commitment has been a major factor in his long and distinguished career at club and international level, says Diouf's contribution to the team effort has been evident since the day he arrived in August 2004 at the start of a loan switch that was made permanent the following summer.

"When we first signed Diouffy, maybe questions were raised about that side of his game, but he has worked his socks off for this clubs since his first game," said the Reebok's elder statesman.

"It was something that maybe surprised us, because we thought he didn't have it in his locker, but Diouffy's as much a team man as anyone in the changing room.

"He's as vocal as anyone, geeing the lads up before the game.

"It means a lot to us and he shows that on the pitch too with his work rate."