ROBBIE Elliott paid tribute to his former manager and team-mates insisting: "Their good start has been no surprise to me!"

The Geordie full-back, who returned to Newcastle on a free transfer in the summer after four roller-coaster years with Wanderers, is back at the Reebok on Saturday for a game that could have a major bearing on the Premiership fortunes of the two clubs.

For Wanderers it is a chance to stabilise after successive home defeats while Bobby Robson's Magpies are pushing for the top six slot they aspire to and which their passionate fans demand.

Elliott is hoping to make an emotional return to the club he left in the summer but, after being left out of the Worthington Cup tie at Barnsley on Tuesday, is taking nothing for granted.

Elliott explained: "In the manager's words, I was rested, but the team won and played well.

"I can't say what will happen but, hopefully, I'll be back in. I've played in all the other games so far."

Robson acknowledged: "I know how much it means for Robbie to play in this one." But French full-back Olivier Bernard impressed on his debut in the win at Barnsley and has put his name in the Premiership frame.

"Sentiment is no reason to pick a player," Elliott said. "I'd like to be picked for the right reasons.

"The manager pulled me to one side before the Barnsley game and said he thought the young lad deserved a go."

Elliott is under no illusions about the size of the task at the Reebok.

"I know for a fact it's going to be a tough one for us," he predicted.

"The start they've had has been absolutely fantastic. It's surprised a few people but anyone who has been surprised doesn't know anything about Bolton and what they are capable of. I do!

"Having played for the manager for 18 months and played with most of those players, I know what they are about.

"It's a lot to do with tactics, the shape of the side and every player knowing his job. They all know what's expected of them."

The back four, in which Elliott would have been contesting a place had he not been tempted to return to his native Tyneside, has taken the plaudits as Wanderers have impressed the critics in the early weeks of the campaign. But the versatile left-footer says there is more to Sam Allardyce's side than a stubborn rearguard.

"They have that bank of four at the back but the players in front do ever so well," he says, praising the work ethic that is a major factor in the midfield make up.

"I know how hard Ricky (Ricardo Gardner) works and Paul (Warhurst) does a great job just in front of the back four. It's good for a defender to have players like that in front of you."

Gosforth-born Elliott came through the ranks at St James' Park and built a big reputation before arriving at the Reebok in a record-breaking £2.5 million deal in July 1997. After breaking his leg on his home debut, he watched from the sidelines as Wanderers were relegated that season.

Promotion came at the third attempt at Cardiff in May but Elliott was tempted back to his native Tyneside when his four-year contract expired.

Going home has brought its pressures though. "You can feel the weight of expectation constantly," he says. "How the team is doing dictates city life and beating Manchester United in the first few weeks has raised expectations even higher.

"Being realistic, a top six place would be a success ... and once we get Carl Cort and Kieron Dyer back and Alan (Shearer) gets his full fitness, we can achieve that."

As for Wanderers ... "I think they can sustain it but the fact remains that success for them this season would be finishing fourth bottom and that hasn't changed, even after the start they've had.

"They shouldn't be setting their sights too high. They can't afford to get carried away because this is a tough division but they have a good squad, having added players to those who were there when I left."