ROBBIE Fowler's return to scoring form has set alarm bells ringing at the Reebok.

The Manchester City striker has been the scourge of Wanderers in the past and is in menacing mood again ahead of Monday night's derby duel at Eastlands.

Two goals at Norwich, where City came from two down to win 3-2, took his Premiership total to 151 and served as a reminder to Whites fans of the damage he has inflicted in the past - four goals in a 5-2 Liverpool win at Anfield in September, 1995, all three for Leeds in 3-0 win at the Reebok in December, 2001, and three more in two games last season as City enjoyed a 9-3 aggregate double.

Those who once regarded Fowler as the best finisher in England will be delighted, but Kevin Nolan would prefer to see him in more subdued mood - at least for one night.

"It was only a matter of time before he started turning the corner," said the young Wanderer, who has known Fowler since childhood.

"He's had a lot of the papers caning him but he's a fantastic lad. Every time I see him he's got a smile on his face.

"I'm made up for him doing well. The trouble is that he always seems to do well against Bolton.

"I just hope we can shut him out on Monday and stop his scoring run."

Sam Allardyce draws some comfort from the fact that Fowler has not been the same potent scoring force since leaving Liverpool in 2001, but still sees him as City's main attacking threat.

"Robbie Fowler's not as good as he used to be because time, age and injuries have taken their toll," the Wanderers boss said.

"Leaving Liverpool was a massive blow to him. I don't think he ever wanted to leave and you see it many times that players are never the same after they've left the club they love most.

"He's had his injuries but he's also had a mental struggle with himself. Eventually he's overcome that and he's actually become the major striker for City since Anelka left.

"There's a big weight on his shoulders which he has responded to very well.

"Maybe that extra pressure that comes with extra responsibility is bringing more out of him. Only Kevin Keegan will know that. All I know is that he's very dangerous and one we'll have to watch."

Fowler has looked a troubled man in recent seasons, plagued by injuries and the loss of the goal touch that earned him 26 England caps. But Nolan says the critics have been hard on his fellow Liverpudlian.

"That's what happens in this country," he said. "Robbie Fowler was one of the best strikers in the Premiership a few years ago and they wanted to see him fall, like they do with a lot of people.

"But he's fighting back and it's nice to see.

"Ask anybody and they'll tell you he was the top finisher, inside or outside the box. He worked hard to get there and he is having to work doubly hard now to get back to where he was.

"He probably realises now that, at 29, he's got another good five or six years left in him. He only has to look at Alan Shearer and the way he's still going strong. Robbie can be another Shearer, banging in goals week in, week out, and hitting the 20-mark year in, year out.

"I wouldn't mind him scoring one on Monday, just as long as we score four."