Bolton manager Gary Megson thinks Kevin Davies is finally getting the recognition his battling performances deserve.

Davies will almost certainly lead the line for Wanderers again on Saturday at the Reebok Stadium as they take on Chelsea for the second time in four days after Wednesday night's Carling Cup tie at Stamford Bridge.

With Bolton still smarting from their 4-0 defeat in that match, the Barclays Premier League encounter promises to be a combative affair, something which will suit the striker's game down to the ground.

While some of Chelsea's players have been criticised in recent years for a perceived tendency to go down easily when tackled, Davies has earned increasing acclaim for his doggedness on the pitch.

And Megson believes his captain is a shining example of how football should be played in this country.

"What is definitely happening at our place is that a recognition is now coming of Kevin Davies and his strengths," Megson said.

"I don't just mean that he is (physically) strong, I mean as a person.

"Davo had to have three stitches in the end after the Man United game, but he didn't come off the pitch. The referee made him go and change his shirt and so he could have his eye looked at.

"The same happened in the game against Everton. He had to go and get two stitches above his eye, but again, he doesn't go down.

"I think people are now starting to realise that that is what we want more of - those kinds of players, not people who are rolling all over the ground when they get a knock and trying to get their fellow professionals a yellow card or a red card.

"Davo doesn't do that - he takes it as a slight if somebody does smack him down to the ground, and if he does hit the ground, he gets straight back up and heads off to the box for the free-kick.

"I think people are now extolling those virtues and thinking we want more of that in the game.

"Kevin Davies highlights what is good about English football and it is what we should be looking for everybody to do."

Megson hopes others will follow Davies' example but admits the nature of football means that it is often difficult for players to stay on their feet.

"Sometimes you look at rugby and you think about the amount of physical contact in that game and yet their players seem a lot tougher than ours," Megson said.

"But when you have played the game yourself, you know our game is a lot faster and you only need knocking off balance a little bit (to go down).

"It takes either a really brave person or a clown to know that a tackle is coming in and they are going to get hurt if they don't get out of the way.

"Our game is fast and physical but I don't think there is a great deal wrong with it."

Wednesday night's heavy defeat brought Bolton crashing back down to earth after a series of impressive results had seen them lose only once in seven games.

Their attacking play has come in for particular praise in recent weeks, but Megson remains concerned about his defence and is looking for the back-line to tighten up with immediate effect.

"The thing that has disappointed me is the amount of goals we have been shipping," Megson said.

"Even in the last three Premier League games we have needed to score three goals to win the game, and you are not going to be able to keep doing that.

"We have got individuals that can do a lot better and we have to be better as a unit as well."