SAM Allardyce is looking forward to his return to Wanderers with Crystal Palace today but admits he wants to send the home faithful away disappointed.

The ex-Whites boss who managed at the Macron Stadium from 1999-2007 after a long spell playing for Wanderers in the 1970s and 1980s says he has been saddened by the decline of his old club in recent years but hopes they can win promotion this season.

However, he arrives looking for a first win as Palace boss and despite a planned raft of team changes, he is aiming for progression to round four.

Allardyce said: "They are riding high, Bolton, at the top of League One after a few poor years.

"I think they will play their best game of the season.

"If we don't earn the right to play, they could upset us. I have sent out the warning signs.

"For me, it's very sad to see what's happened [to Bolton] but I will enjoy going back to that fantastic stadium.

"Obviously I want to beat them, I want to disappoint them."

Star striker Christian Benteke is out with a shoulder injury, paving the way for a Palace debut for Chelsea loan forward Loic Remy, while veteran stopper Julian Speroni could set a new club-record 389 appearances.

Commenting on Remy's availability, Allardyce added: "If he can hit the form and heights he's hit in the Premier League before he could lift the team and be a big goal-scoring threat.

"Particularly the goals he has scored in the past and with his use of pace, he could work well, alongside the other goalscorers we've already got in the squad.

"He'll play some part of the game, but it's like a pre-season for him in his first competitive game.

"Obviously match practice is lacking, but his general fitness is good.

"But there's no better chance than the FA Cup to get a competitive run out.

"Everyone in there has a job on their hands to show what they can do for me and to try to get the club through to the next round. It would lift everyone's spirits to go to Bolton and win."