KEVIN Davies will be a big loss to the club, according to former colleague Nicky Hunt.

Davies now looks likely to leave for MLS side Toronto FC at the end of his current contract after almost a decade of service at the Reebok.

And Hunt, who played in the same side as the Yorkshireman for seven of those years thinks it could well be a mistake to let the 36-year-old go.

Hunt said: “I still speak to Davo regularly and what a Bolton legend he has become in the past 10 years. He has been a superb player for Wanderers and justifiably got the captain’s armband when Kevin Nolan left.

“He has given his all for the club and everyone in the stands at the Reebok has seen that commitment week in, week out.

“The time comes for everyone to leave, just as it did with me after so long there.

“But I think it may be a little too soon to let him go.”

Despite rumours linking him with a move to Canada, Hunt believes his former team-mate still has a lot to offer in England.

“He has never based his game on pace; he is more of an old-fashioned English centre-forward. His game will not be affected by a loss of pace and he still is fit enough to do a job.

“I think he could do that at Wanderers, though the manager obviously believes different.

“I know one thing, when he leaves he will not be short of offers from the Championship at all. I think clubs will be lining up to take him.

“I hope that is the case because, on a personal level away from the pitch, Davo has always been a good friend to me over the years and still is now.”