COVENTRY'S silence spoke volumes, prompting Sam Allardyce to change tack in his search for a striker.

The Wanderers' boss had hoped to persuade the Sky Blues to let him have Australian international striker John Aloisi on loan but there was nothing doing.

"Gordon Strachan didn't return my calls so I take it that he's not over-keen," Allardyce said. "I'll just have to look elsewhere."

Wanderers are hoping Dean Holdsworth will have recovered from an ankle injury in time for Saturday's FA Cup showdown with Blackburn but Ian Marshall and former Rovers' favourite, Paul Warhurst, are definitely out with hamstring injuries.

"It's a sickener for Paul because I know how much he wanted to play against his old club," the manager said.

Ricardo Gardner and Bo Hansen picked up ankle injuries in the 2-1 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday and Robbie Elliott took a knock on his calf. All three will face fitness tests.

On-loan keeper, Tommy Wright, has received an international recall at the ripe old age of 37.

The Ulsterman, on a three month loan from Manchester City, has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway at Lansdowne Road on February 28 following the withdrawal through injury of Roy Carroll.

Wright is currently sidelined with a minor injury, which has given Jurgen Sommer - signed to cover for the cup tie with Blackburn - a place on the subs' bench for the Huddersfield and QPR games.

Wanderers' Reserve game against Wolves, scheduled for Leigh's Hilton Park last night, was postponed because of the condition of the pitch.