MATT Taylor signed on for Bolton's fight against relegation and said he is the man for the job.

Gary Megson beat Sunderland and Middlesbrough to capture the former England under-21 international.

And along with Icelandic international Gretar Steinsson, Taylor should make his debut at Newcastle United.

It promises to be a baptism of fire for both, with Kevin Keegan's return to Tyneside having sparked `messiah mania' at St James' Park. Taylor is Megson's third signing of the transfer window and the highest profile capture.

"The main aim at Bolton initially has to be maintaining our Premier League status," said the former Portsmouth favourite. I would like to think I bring experience as I've been in a similar position with Portsmouth in the past.

"Bolton made me feel very welcome. The manager was very welcoming, and the key thing was he wanted me," he added.

It is also thought former Pompey defender Andy O'Brien helped sell Bolton to the sharp shooting left back.

"Football club-wise, as soon as I went up there I had a gut feeling it was what I wanted," he said. "The Reebok was where I wanted to play."

Taylor, signed for an undisclosed fee, admitted he had also spoken to Sunderland before making up his mind.

Accommodating

"I had a chat with Roy Keane and let me make this clear it was not an easy decision. Sunderland were very accommodating. It's a great club and I want to thank Roy publicly for his time. Gary Megson just showed that he wanted me, which is a fantastic feeling.

"That is not to say the other clubs didn't also show that, but Bolton was right for me."

Megson has been a long-term admirer of the ex-Luton player. But the deal had been held up until Portsmouth chief Harry Redknapp signed his own reinforcements. The arrival of Arsenal's Lassana Diarra at Fratton Park finally enabled the move to be completed.

Taylor was a key player as Portsmouth beat the drop in 2005 and he saai: "Hopefully I can repay the manager for the money he has spent on me. I hope to start doing that as soon as possible. I believe this is a very good career decision."

Bolton have certainly splashed some of the £15 million received for Nicolas Anelka, with Megson also spending £3.5m on Steinsson and £650,000 on Tamir Cohen.

"It's been difficult to leave, but everyone knows I love playing football," he added.

Centre half Lubomir Michalik has been linked with a return to Leeds United.

But the big Slovak won't be moving anywhere in the immediate future because of a lack of cover in the Wanderers' rearguard.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan will have few selection decisions to make as he prepares his side.

Emre’s dismissal against Stoke in midweek means he, along with Alan Smith and Nicky Butt, is suspended, while Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins are away on African Nations Cup duty.

Joey Barton is still unavailable and Peter Ramage (knee) remains on the sidelines - leaving Keegan with just 12 senior players from which to select.

Newcastle United (from): Given, Harper, Carr, N’Zogbia, Enrique, Rozehnal, Cacapa, Taylor, Edgar, Milner, Duff, LuaLua, Viduka, Owen, Carroll.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, J O’Brien, A O’Brien, Gardner, Michalik, Steinsson, Taylor, Campo, Cohen, Guthrie, Nolan, Davies, Giannakopoulos, McCann, Samuel, Wilhelmsson, Braaten, Alonso, Al Habsi.

Last season: Newcastle 1 Bolton 2

Key opponent: Michael Owen - Despite mixed fortunes at Newcastle so far he is still one of the Premier League's most dangerous strikers

Prediction: Newcastle 2 Bolton 1 - The Magpies will be difficult to stop in Keegan's first game in charge

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 10/1 on Bolton winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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