BOLTON'S trip to Newcastle was always going to be a spicy affair.

But a reunion with their old boss Sam Allardyce would have been a breeze compared to the cauldron of passion and fervour awaiting Wanderers tonight - now that Kevin Keegan is again walking on the Tyne.

Bolton have been hurting since the opening day of the season when Newcastle stormed to a 3-1 victory at the Reebok.

But trying to avenge that defeat will now be a far tougher prospect.

Manager Gary Megson (pictured) said: "I don't think too many Geordies will realise who they're actually playing against tonight.

"It's all going to be about Newcastle and Kevin, and you accept that. I think the fact that it is Kevin's comeback makes it a much harder game for us.

"A new manager's come in but not just any new manager.

"I think there'll be a big party and what we've got to do is try to go and spoil it.

"We're going to face a team that's up-and-at-us so we've got to stop that momentum gathering from the word go.

"We've got to ignore the hype and go about an away game in a much more resolute fashion.

"We just have to accept that we are the pantomime horse, we aren't in the main cast."

Wanderers won 2-1 at St James's Park last season but haven't picked up maximum points on their travels this season.

However, tonight's team should be more robust with the arrivals of Icelander Gretar Steinsson and Portsmouth's Matty Taylor.

Capable

The duo will certainly add balance to the make-up of the team and both are capable of handling the atmosphere at St James's.

Keegan will certainly be called upon to work his magic straight away as Emre plus United old boys Alan Smith and Nicky Butt are suspended and Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins are away on African Nations Cup duty.

Joey Barton is still unavailable and Peter Ramage is doubtful with an injured knee.

However, the ex-City chief has been brought in to perform miracles.

And Megson isn't surprised Keegan was named as Allardyce's successor.

"Every time the job has come up the first name they all want is Kevin. He was out of work and saying he wasn't coming back - but this is Newcastle.

"The chairman would have put together a blueprint for the kind of manager he wanted and you could put KK on top of it.

"He's got a great record, he's a good guy and a good manager, and they just seem to go together.

"He regards Newcastle as his home and they regard him as their manager, so I'm sure it'll be a good partnership.

"With the money and the new owner's ambition you can see Newcastle being up there in a year or two and the Big Four becoming the Big Five."

Andy O'Brien's return to Newcastle has been overshadowed by the events of the last 72 hours. But he feels the worst of the hype may already be over.

"I think it's good that Newcastle's new manager was introduced the other night.

"Newcastle is not an easy place to go but I'm looking forward to going there.

"Kevin has made a big impression with his appointment and I hope he's successful ... but only after today." Tweet