NICKLAS Bendtner will return to Sunderland's starting line-up at Bolton this weekend, with Sebastian Larsson backing his former Arsenal team-mate to kick-start the club's season.

Bendtner, who was forced to sit out Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal as the terms of his loan agreement prevented him facing his parent club, is expected to start as a lone striker when the Black Cats travel to the Reebok Stadium in three days time.

The Denmark international scored one goal and set up the other as Sunderland drew 2-2 with West Brom earlier this month, and with Steve Bruce seemingly reluctant to start with either Connor Wickham or Ji Dong-won, is set to play a pivotal role in the club's attacking play.

Larsson knows all about him, having been part of Arsenal's first-team squad as Bendtner was progressing through the north London club's youth set-up.

And as he prepares to provide the ammunition for his fellow Scandinavian, the Swede is confident Sunderland have signed one of the best strikers in the top-flight.

"Nicklas was there at Arsenal, but was younger than me," said Larsson. "He has matured over the years. He has learned what he is best at and

has been brilliant since he came to us.

"He is always a confident lad, and has the ability to back it up as well. He has confidence in a good way. He is one of the lads. He is not shy and, as soon as he came in, he was joking with the lads. He was just one of the lads straight away.

"He is not afraid to say his opinion and he thinks he is a good player - I agree with him."

Stephane Sessegnon replaced him as a lone striker at the Emirates, but was starved of service for long periods as Sunderland fought an ultimately unsuccessful rearguard action, particularly in the second half.

Larsson's superb first-half free-kick briefly threatened to secure an upset, but the 26-year-old admits he and his fellow midfielders will have to create more opportunities if Bendtner is to flourish this weekend.

"Nicklas stood out in the West Brom game," he said. "But it is important for us to have him performing at that level week in and week out. For that to happen, we will have to help him and give him chances to score."