JAY-JAY Okocha's emergence as one of the most eye-catching talents in the Premiership has given Wanderers' survival prospects a shot in the arm.

The world famous captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles is starting to earn the adulation that made him one of the most sought-after talents in European football.

Sam Allardyce believes the gifted African is still not receiving the recognition he would get at a top Premiership club but believes his stunning display against Manchester United could be the advent of a master class by the midfield maestro.

"He's brilliant every week but he was double brilliant on Saturday," the Wanderers' boss enthused.

Paris St Germain, Fenerbahce and Eintracht Frankfurt have all profited from Okocha's breathtaking skills and now, after a false start to his Reebok career, Wanderers' fans have the privilege of seeing the playmaker mesmerise opponents with his fancy footwork and incisive passing.

A knee injury sustained in the disastrous opening fixture at Fulham kept him out of the first 11 until the November 2 game at Birmingham, where he scored a stunning first goal for Wanderers in a 3-1 defeat.

That was the start of a 10-match sequence that helped the World Cup star settle into his new environment but a slight hamstring problem put him back on the sidelines for another three games until he returned at West Brom.

Now Allardyce is hoping he can have a trouble free run-in and provide that extra touch of class alongside Youri Djorkaeff and Ivan Campo to keep them clear of the drop zone.

"He's been doing nothing else but playing brilliantly for weeks now but on Saturday he did it for longer and longer," the manager added as he reflected on his impressive derby display. He's just an outstanding talent that we are lucky to have. Unfortunately for him, because he's at a club of our size and stature, he doesn't get the publicity and accolades he deserves because of his talents.

"There is not much better at the moment in the Premiership and he's proving that on a regular basis. That was probably his top performance on Saturday so it looks like he's going onwards and upwards, as we hoped he would do once he got settled in and after that bad injury and bad start he had."

Meanwhile Everton defender and international colleague Joseph Yobo claims nobody should be surprised at the delayed impact Okocha has made.

The Nigerian international, who is set to play for the Africa XI in Tuesday night's Kanu Heart Foundation Charity Match at the Reebok Stadium, said: "Bolton have been unlucky in several games this season and when I look at their squad, I would say that it is better than most other Premiership teams. I am very hopeful they will survive in the Premiership."

And Yobo has underlined the influence Okocha has had. He said: "Jay-Jay is a good friend of mine and I watch him on television whenever I am not playing myself. He is a fantastic player with such great ability.

"The Premiership is a bit different and when you first make the switch to playing in England, sometimes it can take a bit of time to settle down.

"Jay-Jay didn't show his best form at the beginning of the season but I am so happy for him now to see him playing so well.

"No-one ever doubted Jay-Jay because he has got such great ability and can always prove it, as he is doing so well now here at Bolton.