The pair have both made memorable returns to the English arena over the last few days.

While Henry wasted no time in grabbing the headlines with his winner against Leeds on Monday, Scholes overcame a hesitant start to help guide Manchester United to their FA Cup win over Manchester City last Sunday.

It was a remarkable introduction given the 37-year-old retired last May, claiming he was no longer capable of producing performances to the level he was used to.

Yet, according to Coyle, both Scholes and Henry - back at Arsenal for a short stint as he builds up to another Major League Soccer campaign with New York Red Bulls - are guiding lights for any young professional.

"These players are winners but the thing I love is that they have a desire to play football," said Coyle.

"They have a passion and enthusiasm for it.

"It would have been easy for Paul Scholes to just carry on with the Manchester United reserves.

"But he had the desire and hunger and quality to come back.

"These players are fantastic role models because they want to continue, regardless of what they have already achieved. They still want to play their part."

To that end, Coyle is not entirely surprised at having to plan for facing Scholes when Bolton visit Manchester United on Saturday.

"It was a surprise when I saw his name on the team-sheet because he retired in the summer," he said.

"But Paul has always been a very fit, athletic player.

"That is why he has played at the level he has for all those years.

"Obviously Sir Alex felt he was good enough to come in and do the job and when you see what he is capable of doing, you can understand totally why he has come back into the fray."

However, Coyle, who has pledged to select Gary Cahill if the defender has not completed his £7million move to Chelsea, does not want to spend too much time considering what talent Sir Alex Ferguson has at his disposal.

After collecting seven points from their last four games, Bolton are on an upward curve and, facing a run of tough fixtures, Coyle wants to maintain the momentum, which will not happen if his players are star-struck.

"We are very respectful of the quality Manchester United have," he said.

"But what we have to do is play our part. If you start worrying about Manchester United, we will not be at our best."

With Cahill heading for the exit door, USA defender Tim Ream could be moving the other way, although Coyle is wary of celebrating too early given interest from elsewhere - West Brom have been mentioned - in the 24-year-old.

David Wheater and Zat Knight would probably be paired together at Old Trafford, a trip which may just come too soon for Jussi Jaaskelainen to make his return from a thigh injury.

Fellow long-serving Bolton man Kevin Davies is likely to be involved in some capacity though, with Coyle insisting the veteran striker still has a future at the club despite rumoured interest from old boss Sam Allardyce at West Ham.

"Kevin Davies is my captain and a big part of our plans, as he always has been," said Coyle.

"Aside from his footballing abilities, Kevin is an outstanding man.

"He is a leader and a bit of speculation doesn't change that.

"There is nothing factual in the West Ham link. I have had no dialogue with Sam."

Indeed, whilst it seems unlikely Davies will start at the weekend, the 34-year-old's vast experience could come in handy at some stage.

"You need players with big hearts, that are brave enough to get on the ball, pass and move and who can go into arenas like Old Trafford and perform," he said.

"Kevin is one of those."