Wanderers are in the hunt for Hearts wantaway left sider Paul Ritchie.

The Scotland international, who played in the first leg of the Euro 2000 play-off against England in November, is out of contract at the end of the season and looks certain to quit the Edinburgh club.

Hearts have made a repeated attempt to negotiate a new deal with Ritchie but he appears to be determined to leave.

Scottish giants Rangers have been linked with a move for Ritchie but Sam Allardyce has confirmed an interest and could offer the 24-year-old a move south.

Meanwhile, Gareth Farrelly has completed the formalities of his transfer from Everton and will be a fully-fledged Wanderer when he lines up in Sam Allardyce's midfield against Stockport at the Reebok tomorrow.

The Wanderers' boss wrapped up the deal for the Republic of Ireland international for a "nominal fee" and is expected to put him straight into the starting line-up in place of Robbie Elliott, who is recovering from his second hernia operation in two months.

Darren Holloway, signed on loan from Sunderland this week, could also make his debut at right back, although rookie Dean Holden is also in the running after an impressive debut in the Worthington Cup triumph over Wimbledon.

Allardyce, who decribed the Farrelly deal as "good value and nowhere near the £400,000 that had been reported", wants to see Wanderers get back on track in the league after taking just two points from their last four games. But he is wary of the 'hangover' syndrome.

"I just want them to go for a win and perform well again," he said, "but there's always the chance of a hangover after a huge game like we had the other night.

"We saw a bit of that with form and injuries after we'd beaten Sheffield Wednesday and I don't want that to happen again."

Meanwhile, Wanderers' reserve striker Lee Potter is joining Division Three side Halifax Town on loan. He will complete his move in time to make his debut for the Shaymen at Chester tomorrow.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.