SAMMY Ameobi won’t be affected by the big build-up to his return from injury, says Steve Parkin.

The winger - once of Cardiff City - has been out since mid-September, when he damaged ankle ligaments playing against QPR.

Wanderers have suffered badly for form and goals in his absence but while Ameobi’s comeback has been trumpeted from the rooftops in Bolton, Parkin feels he will cope comfortably with the pressure of expectation.

“He’s just got to play his own game,” he said. “We know what he does, we know what he can’t do, and if Sammy is selected we know he’s great at taking you up the pitch, can produce magic, but not all the time and not every game.

“He’s a very dangerous player at this level but he’s got to do things his way. He’ll be fine.”

Wanderers could certainly use a spark, having scored just twice in their last nine games.

Luck has also deserted them when they needed it most, with James Chester's incredible goal-line clearance at Villa Park last Friday a perfect case in point.

“Looking back at the Villa game there were a lot of good things about the performance," he said. "They got that clearance off the line, which nine times out of 10 goes in when things are going for you. But being back at home we know we need a performance and a win.

“The lads have been fairly open in the meetings we’ve had this week. They need to be more focussed at the start of games.

“There’s nothing wrong with the running stats. For me it’s a concentration thing and making sure we give ourselves a chance by holding firm early on."