MATT Jansen has backed Sam Allardyce to find the right gameplan in this weekend’s Lancashire derby.

Wanderers host Blackburn on Sunday afternoon, looking to bounce back from a worrying recent dip in form by putting one over on their former boss.

Both sides have struggled to get themselves clear of the bottom six this season but Jansen — who played at both Ewood Park and the Reebok in a six-year Premier League career — reckons Big Sam’s homework will ensure his side take home the three points.

“Big Sam is so thorough with his preparations against any side he comes up against,” said the 32-year-old, currently a player-coach at Leigh Genesis. “I think he will know more about Bolton than Gary Megson knows about Blackburn. I think that’s an advantage right there.

“He knows the game he plays inside-out and while it isn’t that different to the one Bolton play, I just think Blackburn have looked stronger so far this season.

“It will be a battle but I think Blackburn will win by the odd goal.”

Jansen, pictured, made just six appearances for the Whites when Allardyce brought him to the Reebok in 2006 but had previously featured more than 150 times for Rovers, helping them to victory in the League Cup in 2002. And while he does not predict a season of struggle for either of his old clubs, the former England Under-21 international believes Blackburn hold a slight edge over their local rivals this weekend.

“Both teams are in and around that bottom half of the table and know that a couple of wins will lift them right out of there,” he said. “It’s the old cliché, the relegation six-pointer.

“Personally, I think Blackburn have looked the more solid team this season and that’s why I think they will have a little bit too much for Bolton.”

Meanwhile, The Bolton News understands that Wanderers have no interest in bringing former England international Darius Vassell to the Reebok from Turkish club Ankaragucu.

The 29-year-old, who was released by Manchester City in the summer, had been linked with a move back to the Premier League, having failed to settle at his new club.