DEAN Holdsworth had mixed emotions as he joined his new Coventry team-mates - determined to make the most of the offer of regular first team football, but disappointed that the move could signal the beginning of the end of his days as a happy Wanderer.

The Reebok striker has joined the Sky Blues on a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal in a surprise switch Sam Allardyce sanctioned, despite leaving himself short of attacking cover in the build-up to the busy Christmas period.

At 34 and having struggled to hold down a regular first team place this season, Holdsworth accepts the writing is now on the wall after more than five years with Wanderers. He says he agreed the deal for "football and family reasons" but admits: "It hasn't sunk in yet that I'll be playing for Coventry against Preston instead of being with Bolton at Man City."

Out of contract at the end of the season, Holdsworth saw the offer from Coventry boss Gary McAllister as an ideal opportunity to show that he still has something to offer, despite having failed to score in his 10 appearances this season.

"I am looking beyond this season," he explained. "Sam Allardyce has made it 99 per cent certain that I wouldn't be able to do that at Bolton and I would like to be with my family next year anyway. So everything's pointing to me being gone at the end of the season when there's going to be a couple of hundred players in the same position as me, looking for a club.

"Coventry are looking to recruit for next season so, hopefully I can impress them and get something sorted out before the rush starts."

But the man whose £3.5 million October 1997 transfer from Wimbledon still stands as Wanderers' record signing, has not said his farewells just yet.

"I'm not walking away," he insisted. "It's only a loan, it's not the end.

" It's a move that can be good for me for football reasons and, being an hour and 20 minutes away from home, it means I can be with my wife and sons again, which I think everyone can understand. But at the moment the crystal ball's a bit murky ... I can't see too far into the future."