MICHAEL Bridges has pledged to "prove a lot of people wrong" after turning down a return to Sunderland to stay in the Premiership.

Bridges signed a two-year deal with Bolton Wanderers yesterday to finally bring an end to over three years of injury heartache.

The North Shields-born striker was one of football's hottest properties when he left Wearside for Leeds in a £5m move in 1999.

But, after a successful first season at Elland Road, he suffered a succession of serious injuries that threatened to end his career.

Knee and ankle problems kept him out of action for almost 18 months and, when he finally returned in December 2002, a snapped Achilles forced him on to the sidelines for the rest of the campaign.

In all, Bridges managed just 61 starts in a Leeds shirt, but he was given the chance of resurrecting his career with his boyhood heroes Newcastle when Sir Bobby Robson took him on loan in February.

The 25-year-old failed to make an impression at St James' Park though, with his only start coming in March's 3-1 UEFA Cup win over Valerenga.

Newcastle informed Bridges this summer they would not be offering him a permanent deal and, when his current Leeds contract expires on July 1, he will move to the Reebok Stadium.

It is now more than four years since Bridges last scored a league goal and, with question marks still hanging over his fitness, there are those who question whether he will ever do so again. But Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is confident he can still cut it at the top level and, after being passed over by Newcastle, the former England Under-21 international admits he has a point to prove with his new club.

"I've got a massive point to prove to Newcastle," said Bridges.

"But there are a lot of people I want to prove wrong.

"I'm confident I can score goals in the Premiership and that's what I'm going to be focusing on with Bolton.

"With people like Jay Jay Okocha supplying the service, I know the goals will come."

Fulham, Leicester and Southampton all declared an interest in signing Bridges, but one of the most tempting offers came from the Stadium of Light.

The striker was a firm fans' favourite when he burst on to the scene with the Black Cats, scoring 21 goals in just 41 starts for the club.

But, while the chance of returning to his roots was tempting, the lure of top-flight football proved impossible to resist.

"I spoke to Mick (McCarthy) and I took it as a massive compliment that a former club, which I am extremely fond of, were interested in taking me back," said Bridges.

"But a move was never really that close because I had other options to consider as well, and it was the chance to stay in the Premiership that swung it for me.

"The chance to join Bolton was too good an opportunity to turn down when you consider how high they finished last season and the quality of players they have."

Bridges will now compete with Kevin Davies and Henrik Pedersen for a place in Bolton's starting line-up.

And, while he has not ruled out another return to the North-East in the future, he is already counting down the days to the start of the latest chapter in his life.

"It was a massive honour to pull on the black and white stripes," said Bridges.

"I would like to have stayed at Newcastle but, unfortunately, that wasn't to be.

"You never know what's going to happen in the future though. Maybe one day I will end up coming back.

"Whatever happens, I'm looking forward to playing with Bolton next season. I'm delighted to have got things sorted and now I can't wait for the new season to start."

* Sunderland last night issued a hands-off warning to clubs eyeing Scotland international Kevin Kyle.

Northern Echo SPORT understands that Premiership newcomers Crystal Palace were lining up a bid for the striker, but the Black Cats have stressed that Kyle will be going nowhere this summer.

The 23-year-old finished last season as Sunderland's joint top-scorer with 16 goals and Mick McCarthy is desperate for him to spearhead next season's assault on the Premiership.