Football: Elliott's extra edge at Wembley

THE BOLTON defender Robbie Elliott is determined to be one Newcastle fan who leaves Wembley with a smile on his face this year.

Elliott is a Geordie through and through, so he felt the pain of the Magpies' 2-0 FA Cup final defeat eight days ago against Manchester United just as much as the thousands at Wembley and on Tyneside.

But while his passion might be Newcastle, his loyalty is to Bolton as they head into today's First Division play-off final against Watford. Elliott's burning desire to play Premiership football again is fuelled by the fact he missed almost the whole of last season through injury.

Just four matches into his Wanderers career, following a pounds 2.2m summer move from Newcastle, the 25-year-old broke his right leg in three places during a goalless home draw with Everton and then spent the next 14 months on the sidelines.

"This game means so much to me," he said. "Being in the Premiership is where I want to be. It's the reason why I left Newcastle."