SAM Allardyce took his hat off his old pal, Steve Bruce, today when he said of the friendliest of his Premiership rivals: "He hasn't done bad for a Bolton reject."

The two mates, who go head to head at the Reebok this evening, came across each other for the first time at Burnden Park in the early Seventies when Big Sam - then a rising young star - saw a younger Bruce fail to convince Wanderers boss Ian Greaves that he could make the grade.

"He came here for a trial as a kid and Greavesie told him he wasn't good enough," Allardyce said, recalling the rejection.

"Brucie always brings that up when we're together."

Bruce, a fellow centre-half, got over the disappointment of failing to land a job with Wanderers, making a name for himself at Gillingham in the lower divisons, then Norwich, before going on to enjoy success at the highest level with Manchester United. Moving into management he gained priceless experience at Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Wigan and Crystal Palace before joining Birmingham, where he has taken the Blues from Division One to Premiership respectability in double-quick time.

"Steve did it the hard way as a player, starting at the bottom and working his way to the top," Allardyce said. "I started at the top end and went down the way ... we've always been the best of pals.

"It's important to have other managers on the end of the phone who understand the job - men like Reidy (Peter Reid), Robbo (Bryan Robson) and Steve McClaren and Curbs (Alan Curbishley)

"It's only other managers you can talk to and get the right answers. If you don't have them it can become very lonely."

Of course the friendship will be forgotten at tea-time when Wanderers and Birmingham battle for precious Premiership points.

"We're the best of mates but the worst of enemies when we play each other," Allardyce added.