SAM Allardyce has warned Wanderers to guard against a Barnsley backlash in tomorrow's Reebok Roses battle.

Dave Bassett's Tyke's are reeling after losing to late goals twice in the space of four days - a malaise the Bolton players have suffered from themselves in recent weeks - and are determined to bounce back.

"Barnsley have suffered the same fate as we have done recently and lost games in the last few minutes, which is deeply disappointing," the manager acknowledged. "We've got to make sure we don't suffer the backlash from that."

Paul Warhurst is expected to make his first League start of the season at centre-back following Mark Fish's sale to Charlton, although Allardyce fears his lack of match practice could prevent him completing a full 90 minutes.

He has few other options, however, with Ian Marshall still ruled out with a groin problem and Mike Whitlow on the long-term casualty list.

Allardyce is in upbeat mood ahead of the Barnsley clash after seeing his players rally in recent weeks following an indifferent run that saw them win just once in eight games. They got back on track with a 3-1 win against QPR last time out at the Reebok and came from behind to claim a draw at Birmingham last Saturday.

And with 10-goal top scorer Michael Ricketts in a rich vein of scoring form, confidence has been restored, just at the right time.

"We looked like getting back on track against Crystal Palace but for the last six minutes or so," Allardyce recalls. "Funnily enough the goals against QPR came at roughly the same time but we managed to play that game out safely. Birmingham City ... no problems at all in the game. I felt we finished the stronger and were unlucky not to win it so it looks like that little blip of conceding goals in the last few minutes is over.

"This is a critical time because a heavy period of games is coming up, coupled with the severe weather we are now having to suffer, which is critical in terms of the size of your squad and the injuries you pick up. This is also about the time that suspensions start kicking in.

"So we need to develop our squad more than we are at this moment in time. And it isn't just a case of finding a replacement for Mark Fish it's a case of finding a replacement for Isaiah Rankin as well and another one, at least, to bolster us for that heavy period that's coming up."

Allardyce has made contact with Coventry over the possibility of taking Scotland international centre-back Colin Hendry on an extended loan and in the meantime is running the rule over Norwegian defender-cum-midfielder Kjetil Pedersen, who has failed to agree a new deal with Elfsborg.

Pedersen played alongside fellow Norwegian trialist, Viking Stavanger winger Gunnar Aase, in a behind closed doors friendly against Oldham yesterday, which ended 2-2.