LES Ferdinand has promised to use his wealth of experience to help his new sidekick, Michael Bridges, recapture the form that made him one of the most exciting young strikers in the land.

"Bolton have picked up an awesome striker with great ability," the veteran former England hit-man said as the new Reebok recruits linked up for the first time.

"He's just been very unfortunate with injuries, but we're hoping he's over that now."

Sam Allardyce admits he took a "semi-gamble" when he signed Bridges on a free transfer from Leeds United but is hoping his knack for reviving careers will pay dividends.

Ferdinand belives Wanderers could be on a winner. "I remember watching Michael when I was at Newcastle," he said. "He was an exciting player who was going to go on to great things. He moved from Sunderland to Leeds and, unfortunately, that was where his injuries happened.

"I'm sure the medical staff here will make sure Michael's out there for more games than he's not but it's about him believing that he can still do it in the Premiership. And I'm sure he can."

At 37, Ferdinand will be one of the oldest players in the Premier League next season and, while he is determined to prove to the doubters that he can still make an impact in the top flight, he is ready to give Bridges, or anyone else who cares to listen, the benefit of his knowledge.

"They see me at 37 and ask how I keep myself going -- I got that a lot from the younger lads at Leicester last season," he added.

"I just say it's my business, this is my job. When I come to the office I come to work. Hopefully, they see what I do and it will rub off on them.

"It's about experience. When you get into a game situation and people's heads are down, you need someone to lift them up. That's when your experience comes into play."

Ferdinand -- who recently qualified as a helicopter pilot -- has overcome injury problems himself and is aiming to be involved more than he was last season, when he scored 12 goals in 28 Premiership appearances -- 20 starts -- in a struggling Leicester side.

"If I didn't think I could contribute and help a team out, I'd say it was time for me to go," he said.

"I don't expect to play in a side just because I'm Les Ferdinand but I think I'll start more games than I did last season."

Jibes about his injury record have made the 25-year-old Bridges all the more determined to get his career back on track after spending much of his five-year spell at Leeds on the sidelines.

"I've got this tag, similar to Darren Anderton," he said, drawing comparisons with the Tottenham and England man nicknamed "Sicknote".

"Even my mates have taken the Mick but I've been injury-free for a year and a half now and people forget that.

"I've got points to prove all over the place but there's no bigger challenge than proving something to myself again.

"Sam saw when I came here how eager I was to play football."