LES Ferdinand is backing his former team-mates to bounce back from their rocky start to the new season.

Wanderers are languishing in the bottom three after losing four out of their first five games this term.

But the former Bolton striker is confident the Reebok side has more than enough quality to turn things around.

Ferdinand, who enjoyed a six-month spell with Bolton after joining from Leicester in July 2004, believes Whites' stalwarts like Gary Speed, Kevin Nolan and Jussi Jaaskelainen have the strength of character to ensure the current dip in form is nothing more than a temporary blip.

And, with Nicolas Anelka firing on full cylinders, Ferdinand predicts that Wanderers will once again be pushing for a European spot come May.

"Nicolas Anelka is capable of scoring against anyone and there are some big personalities in the dressing room," he said. "Having spent a bit of time with the players there, I know what there mentality and focus is.

"Gary Speed is a wise old head and with Kevin Nolan as the skipper these guys are winners."

See Friday's The Bolton News for the full story