PER Frandsen has been ruled out of Wanderers' Worthington Cup clash with Nottingham Forest at the Reebok on Monday and could be struggling to be fit for the home Premiership clash with Newcastle next Saturday.

"It's not a long term problem but Per could be out for a couple of weeks," Sam Allardyce confirmed today.

Frandsen, who returned as a second half substitute against Sunderland after a two-week lay-off with ankle ligament damage, aggravated the injury and was forced to pull out of Denmark's crucial World Cup qualifier against Iceland in Copenhagen tomorrow.

Nicky Southall and Gareth Farrelly, who have both had hamstring problems, will have fitness tests over the weekend before being considered for the Forest tie.