FORMER Blackburn striker Kevin Davies will feel no sympathy should he score against his old club at the Reebok Stadium.

Wanderers' leading scorer netted just twice and spent only 12 months during his stay at Ewood Park.

And Davies recalls: "It was a pretty awful year.

"I didn't play many games through injuries and illnesses plus we ended up getting relegated, so it was a season to forget.

"Relegation was hard to take, but not being involved and not being happy at the club made it a tough year.

"At the end of the season I played a couple of matches and I got the chance to move back to Southampton to try and put the previous 12 months behind me.

"Moving back to the South Coast was just the right thing to do at that stage for both clubs and myself."

Davies' return to the Dell didn't have a happy ending and, following a successful trial with Bolton, he was on his way back to the North West.

That was five years ago and now with 213 appearances to his name and 44 goals, `Davo' has become a firm favourite with Bolton supporters.

Challenge

"Luckily I got the chance here, which I had to take it when it came along and since I've been at the club we've played in a cup final and qualified twice for Europe," Davies added.

"It's been a brilliant experience for me over the last five years and now I feel that with a couple of wins we can push up the table and start to challenge in the top ten.

"We've got enough quality in the squad to be knocking on the door for Europe again.

"I've had some great memories since I've been here, I'm really enjoying my football at the moment, living in the area and I'm probably the happiest I've ever been with life in general.

"I'm settled here, my children are settled at school so it was a matter of getting that extra year on my contract and I'm delighted with that."

Blackburn return to action for the first time since their home defeat by United.

But they have a great record at the Reebok and are unbeaten in nine matches there dating back to 2000.

Heidar Helguson and Gretar Steinsson both picked up knocks while on duty with Iceland but should be fit for the north-west derby.

Meanwhile, Blackburn’s injury-plagued midfielder Steven Reid will miss the rest of the season after suffering another knee problem.

Rovers boss Paul Ince revealed today the Republic of Ireland international will need surgery on his knee and is expected to be out for six or seven months.

Reid, 27, missed the 2006-7 season with knee and back injuries, and with David Dunn also out for the long term, Ince’s central midfield options are limited for tomorrow’s trip to Bolton in the Barclays Premier League.

Roque Santa Cruz (hamstring) is also doubtful but Benni McCarthy, Vince Grella and goalkeeper Paul Robinson are all fit.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Shittu, A O’Brien, Samuel, Gardner, Muamba, Nolan, McCann, J O’Brien, Smolarek, Elmander, Davies, Helguson, Riga, Hunt, Vaz Te, Cohen, Fojut, Al Habsi.

Blackburn Rovers (from): Robinson, Brown, Nelsen, Samba, Ooijer, Warnock, Emerton, Olsson, Tugay, Mokoena, Derbyshire, Santa Cruz, Villanueva, Fowler, Andrews, Grella, Treacy, Pedersen, McCarthy.

Bolton league form: DLLLW

Blackburn league form: LLWWL

Key opponent: Benni McCarthy - always a goal threat

Prediction: Bolton 1 Blackburn 0 - should be a tight game but Bolton will fancy their chances at home

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 6/1 on Bolton winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.  

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