JOSE Enrique is ready to solve Newcastle's long-term left-back dilemma at Bolton on Saturday, although Sam Allardyce admitted he is reluctant to throw his latest recruit straight into the heat of a Premiership battle.

Enrique, a Spain Under-21 international, became Allardyce's seventh summer signing when he completed a £6.2m move from Villarreal yesterday.

The 21-year-old, who watched Sunday's friendly win over Sampdoria from the St James' Park stands, has missed the whole of Newcastle's pre-season programme.

But with midfielder Charles N'Zogbia currently standing in for the injured Celestine Babayaro, the Magpies' only recognised left-back, Enrique insists he is prepared to make his debut at the Reebok Stadium in four days' time.

"I'm ready to go and, if Sam wants to play me this weekend, I'll be ready," said the Spaniard, who has signed a five-year contract.

"English football is fast and physical, especially for defenders. Strikers like to get stuck in, but that isn't a problem for me.

"It's a great challenge to play in the Premiership and I am under no illusions that it will be easy. But I know what a historic club Newcastle is and I am excited by the plans the directors have for the club.

"I don't know Sam Allardyce directly, but I am told he has great faith in young players."

Allardyce is delighted at the capture of a player who has also attracted the attention of both Liverpool and Manchester City.

An earlier approach to Villarreal had proved unsuccessful but, when Spanish officials informed Newcastle chairman Chris Mort that they would be willing to do business at the end of last week, the Magpies moved quickly.

Enrique, who began his career with Levante, spent a season on loan at Celta Vigo before joining Villarreal last summer and is viewed as one of Spain's most promising young defenders.

He has experience of playing at St James' Park having represented his former employers in last summer's pre-season friendly, but Allardyce is keen to use him sparingly in the early stages of his Newcastle career.

Enrique's compatriot, Albert Luque, struggled to recover after being thrown in at the deep end by Graeme Souness, and despite the Magpies' lack of defensive depth, Allardyce is determined not to push too hard, too soon.

"Jose has hopefully got a very good future in front of him, but we will feed him in slowly," said the Magpies manager. "You won't see him at Bolton, or at least I hope you won't, because I would not want to do that.

"I'd like to use the players who have done so well in pre-season for the first few games, with the new ones coming in after that.

"It does not matter about Alan Smith because he knows what the Premiership is all about and he's okay. Mark Viduka knows all about the Premiership as well and what it takes to be successful.

"But we will ease in Claudio Cacapa and Jose when they have the feel of it."

Kieron Dyer is also unlikely to feature at the Reebok Stadium despite the dramatic collapse of his move to West Ham.

The Hammers pulled out of a deal for the unsettled Magpies midfielder when Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley raised his asking price to £8m, but Upton Park officials still expect Dyer to be a West Ham player by the time the transfer window swings shut on August 31.

Publicly, Allardyce is stressing that the England international must be prepared to resume his Newcastle career but, in private, it has been conceded that a reconciliation is all but impossible.

Having seen both his car and house attacked by disgruntled United fans, Dyer is reluctant to return to the Magpies' first team and, while West Ham remain adamant that they will not increase their original offer, it is likely that a compromise agreement involving the London club paying £6m up front rather than in instalments will be agreed.

While Dyer will not be involved as Allardyce makes an emotional return to Bolton on Saturday, striker Shola Ameobi is desperate to feature after shaking off a back problem.

Ameobi confirmed his return to full fitness with a 45-minute run-out against Sampdoria, but the likes of Smith, Viduka and Obafemi Martins will provide stiff competition for a starting spot this weekend.

Allardyce has made strengthening his attack something of a priority this summer, but after competing with the likes of Michael Owen and Alan Shearer in the past, Ameobi is unconcerned at the latest raft of recruits.

"I have always been a competitive person - just ask Alan Shearer," he said. "He was in the side, but that didn't put me off because I love the competition for places.

"It keeps me on my toes and, as a striker, I think you need to be looking over your shoulder all the time and wondering which players the manager is going to favour. It keeps you fresh.

"I think I deserved to be in the side when I played (last season) and I believe I am good enough to be in the starting line-up now.''