Meite ready for Rooney

By Steve Bramley  

Meite ready for Rooney

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Abdoulaye Meite says he is not fazed by the possibility of marking Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

The Ivory Coast defender is expected to shake off a toe injury and return to the Bolton side to face the table-toppers following suspension

The 26-year-old has grown in confidence after cementing his place in Sam Allardyce's side following his arrival from Marseille in the summer.

"I will take it in my stride playing at Old Trafford and facing Rooney," he said.

"I have appeared at the Stade Velodrome in front of big crowds, so it is something I am used to and I am ready.

"One of the reasons I came to England was to play against the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea."

Meite is enjoying life in the Premiership and believes that it is living up to its billing as the best in the world.

"In France you can pass the ball around at the back and take a five-minute breather. Here it is non-stop," he added.

"I knew it would be a top standard of football. It is the best in the world."

And boss Allardyce admits the defender has had no problems adapting to life in the top flight.

"It is not very often we would play someone in the Premiership from the start," explained the Bolton boss.

"It is usually difficult for them to cope with the physical demands of the league, if nothing else.

"But we had a shortage of players early on and Abdoulaye adapted extremely well from day one.

"He has been a fantastic asset and is learning as the weeks go by."