Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce has failed in a bid to sign Bradford City striker Isiah Rankin on the eve of the Burnley opener..

The former Arsenal speed merchant, a £1.3 million club record signing for the Bantams two years ago this month, had talks with the Wanderers boss after a loan deal had been agreed between the two clubs. But the transfer could not be thrashed out in time for Rankin to be available for the opener at the Reebok.

Talks are due to re-open next week.

Allardyce turned to Rankin - impressive in a four-goal loan spell at Birmingham last season - after failing to clinch a loan deal that would have brought West Ham striker Paul Kitson to the Reebok.

He goes into the start of the season with EIGHT members of his first team squad sidelined and worried that his depleted strike force will lack the cutting edge to make the flying start he craves.

He has worked tirelessly to find short-term cover for the best part of a fortnight since losing Dean Holdsworth with a shoulder injury but his efforts to secure a loan signing have been repeatedly frustrated.

In the absence of an 11th hour deal, Paul Warhurst is expected to be asked to turn back the clock and put his versatility to the test in the first day showdown with the Clarets.

The 30-year-old utility man, who had a successful run as a striker in his Sheffield Wednesday days, played up front alongside Bo Hansen in the pre-season friendlies at Bury and Chester and looks the likeliest contender if Wanderers have to go with what they have got.

Gudni Bergsson will lead out an injury and suspension stricken team that has undergone wholesale changes since the valiant but tragically unsuccessful promotion bid last May.

Wanderers go into the opening day without nine members of the squad which lost so dramatically against Ipswich in the Play-off semi-final.

Top scorer Eidur Gudjohnsen and midfield ace Claus Jensen were sold for £4 million apiece to Chelsea and Charlton respectively and Michael Johansen, Paul Ritchie and Allan Johnston moved on.

Skipper Mike Whitlow starts the season with a three-match ban as a result of his sending off at Portman Road and Robbie Elliott, who looks set to miss the first five weeks with a groin injury, would have been suspended for the Burnley game anyway - again as a consequence of his indiscretion in that controversial Ipswich defeat.

With Jimmy Phillips (knee injury) on the casualty list along with Ricardo Gardner (knee), Dean Holden (broken leg) and Kevin Nolan (broken wrist) plus new signing Michael Ricketts suspended for three games, Allardyce's starting line-up almost picks itself.

Summer signings Anthony Barness and Simon Charlton will make their debuts and more than 10,000 Wanderers fans in a big derby crowd are sure to give Per Frandsen a warm welcome home.