SAM Allardyce has hit back at the critics who wrote off Michael Ricketts' international pedigree after his England debut last week.

The Wanderers boss is furious at the harsh treatment his player received by the national media after playing just half a game against Holland in Amsterdam.

He rounded on the pundits and writers for their slamming knee jerk response to Ricketts' display and told them his player would make them eat their words.

He said: "It was always going to be a case for Michael to grab it with both hands or fail to live up to the expectations.

"But to write him off after just 45 minutes is slightly worse than disgusting.

"What some of the media said was totally wrong. But the reason why Michael scores goals in the Premiership is because he doesn't get fazed by being written off like this.

"The fact is he is a current England international. He deserved his chance and he deserves another chance, maybe not at this year's World Cup but certainly after that."

While Allardyce believes Ricketts has the quality to play for England he has warned his striker that it will not just fall into his lap and he must fight to make it happen.

"If he rests on his laurels his chances of ever playing for England again will be dead," he said.

"As long as he realises what he has achieved so far and what he can achieve in the future he can go on to be a force in the game."