THE boy from Belgrade really has 'done good'.

Sensational Serb Sasa Curcic could well prove the biggest threat to Blackburn Rovers' hopes of maintaining a magnificent Premiership record at their Ewood citadel tomorrow.

Bolton Wanderers, battling bravely to beat the drop, will certainly look to their £1.5 million import for inspiration as they make the short trip along the A666 for a derby game sure to raise the temperatures.

And the 23-year-old Curcic isn't in the habit of letting Wanderers, or his thousands of Burnden admirers, down.

What an impact he has made in just three short months.

The Yugoslav international, signed from Partizan Belgrade, was selected for special mention by Roy McFarland, as he departed his joint managerial post with Colin Todd.

McFarland told Wanderers that in Curcic they had a gem on their hands but that it was an "uncut diamond" which needed a lot of careful handling.

Recent evidence suggests the polish is being supplied by the player himself. Almost single-handed, with two stunning goals against Bradford, Curcic put Wanderers through to a lucrative FA Cup fourth round tie with Leeds, rescheduled for midweek after being snowed off last Saturday.

His exploits at Valley Parade brought him the award of Littlewoods' "Performance of the Round".

Yet, even while the accolades were already starting to roll in, the seven-times capped Serb expressed the fervent belief that he has so much more to offer.

"I do not think I have performed any better than 30 per cent of my potential and there will be a lot more to come," he said in a statement to delight Bolton fans who have already taken him to their hearts.

With his surging sorties from midfield and top-notch technical skills, Curcic is capable of inflicting damage on any team.

Even one that, under Ray Harford, has probably played better football at home this season than they did when winning the championship.

The midfielder has delighted crowds everywhere, but the pleasure is all his as he revels in Premiership football.

"It's a great honour and a great thrill to play in the Premiership," he says.

"And I still think Bolton can get out of trouble.

"For me there is no better place to be than in the Premier League. "It's the best division and the best league in Europe, even the world."

Curcic's international career spans both sides of Yugoslavian football - the old era and the new one.

The lifting of sanctions now gives them the chance to play again with the best, but the midfield maestro readily acknowledged when he arrived in Bolton that he was fortunate to get such an opportunity.

It was one he was determined to take and that's just what he has done.

"A lot of young players in my country want to play in big matches but can't because of the sanctions," he said on breezing into Burnden like a breath of fresh air.

"Bolton have given me the opportunity and I desperately want to play in the Premiership."

Curcic has already started to repay Wanderers and their fans feel that if there is one man who can spark a successful safety mission away from the foot of the table, then he is the one.

His extraordinary flair reflects the fact that the legendary Johann Cruyff is his footballing hero.

And perhaps making his full international debut at the tender age of just 17 against the Brazilians inspired him to go on and produce his own version of what Pele described as "the beautiful game". Wanderers fans could have been forgiven for being a little sceptical when Curcic first arrived.

Some remembered former Yugoslav international Dusan Nikolic's much-heralded signing back in the early 1980s.

Nikolic failed to settle, played just 22 League games, scoring two goals, and proved a fading rather than formidable force.

Not so Curcic, now happily settled with his family in the area.

With six goals and numerous "assists" to his credit, he could be the key figure as Bolton bid for their first away win of the season tomorrow and the completion of what would be a shock "double" over the reigning champions.

Given Rovers' superb run of nine straight home wins in the Premiership it sounds unlikely.

But be warned. Wanderers' "uncut diamond" is already shining brightly.

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