ABDOULAYE Faye resisted overtures from Everton, West Ham and Wigan, and an improved offer from Bolton, for the chance to work under Sam Allardyce again at Newcastle United.

The midfielder-cum-defender made a first Premier League start for his new club on Sunday in the 3-2 win over Everton, forming an impressive central defensive partnership with Brazilian Claudio Cacapa.

The 29-year-old endured a difficult start to the season with his future up in the air, and admitted Sammy Lee and the Bolton backroom staff did just about all they could to persuade him to stay at the Reebok.

But once former Trotters' boss Allardyce made it known he wanted the Senegal international, Faye was as good a Newcastle player.

"It has been a difficult time for me because I started the season at Bolton and the people there didn't want me to leave," said the player signed for £2m on transfer deadline day. "The people at Bolton tried to keep me. They offered me a four-year contract but I said 'no'.

"I felt that joining Newcastle would be the perfect move for me because this is such a big club.

"Knowing Sam from Bolton made it a bit easier, but it has been hard for me - it's been a difficult time.

"I had to wait, wait, wait and all the people there (at Bolton) were telling me not to leave.

"But I continued to tell them 'no' and I'm glad that I did that. I was really happy to have the chance to come here and work with Sam again.

"When I worked with him at Bolton, he picked me for all the games and he gave me great confidence. When he came here and then said he wanted me to join him, there was no decision to make.

"I love working with him and I couldn't wait to get here. I had offers from other clubs, it wasn't just Newcastle.

"Manchester City, Everton and Wigan all wanted me to join them, but I told them all 'no, I would prefer to go to Newcastle and work with Sam again'.

"I'm just pleased it all worked out. Newcastle is such a great club and things couldn't have gone better."

Allardyce has already put Faye's versatility to good use, playing him in a defensive midfield role against Arsenal in the Carling Cup before starting him as a central defender against David Moyes' side at the weekend.

Despite a preference for midfield, Faye admitted his partnership with Cacapa in defence on Sunday worked well - with the back four able to communicate in French.

"I've played in midfield and in defence," said Faye. "People ask which I prefer, but I don't mind playing in either position. For me, it's the same. I just want to be in the team.

"Perhaps I like playing in midfield a little more. When I played in France (for Lens) that was the position I played in the most. But I don't mind playing in defence. It's good for me that I can do a job in both positions.

"It means I have more chances to get into the team. I enjoyed playing with Claudio and I think we can develop a good partnership.

"He's an intelligent player, a good player and I think we worked well together.

"I don't speak great English, but we both speak French. He spent a long time playing in France so communication isn't a problem.

"Habib Beye also speaks French, as does Charles (N'Zogbia) and Geremi so we all make ourselves understood. It works fine."

Alan Smith, meanwhile, drew on the inspiration of Alan Shearer while the team were inspired by the England rugby World Cup team in the win over Everton on Sunday.

A calf injury to Mark Viduka and an unwillingness to start with Michael Owen saw Allardyce pair Smith with Obafemi Martins.

"We took a lot of inspiration from the England rugby team which beat Australia," said Smith.

"They were the underdogs as we are in a lot of games but they came through.

"We have a new set of players at Newcastle but they are prepared to fight for everything.

"I had a bash on my head, a scrape on my hand and picked up another yellow card so I will miss the game against Spurs, but everyone will run through a brick wall for this side which makes me believe we will be OK this season.

"I loved playing up front against Everton. While playing I kept thinking about Alan Shearer and the fact that he was such a great player in that position for Newcastle and England.

"Shearer was on my mind throughout the game and he was driving me on."

A decision on whether Smith's knee injury - picked up on Sunday - will rule him out of England Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia will be made this morning.