JOHN McGinlay and Alan Thompson are prepared to play through the pain barrier as Wanderers bid to make FA Cup progress at the expense of Second Division Chesterfield tonight.

Top scorer McGinlay says he'll soldier on with a calf problem that has dogged him recently while Thompson wants to stay in midfield despite suffering a slight reaction to the foot injury that kept him out for nine games.

But Colin Todd is likely to take the decision out of their hands when he names his line-up for the fourth round Burnden tie.

The Wanderers boss has one eye on Saturday's league game at Reading and is reluctant to take any risks with the condition of key players.

Nevertheless their enthusiasm and that of three others - Wanderers also have doubts about Gudni Bergsson, Chris Fairclough and Scott Sellars - sums up the positive mood as the promotion favourites bid for glory on a second front. A home tie against Nottingham Forest awaits them in the fifth round and the Bolton stars are keen to pit their wits against the Premiership side.

But chief coach Phil Brown suggested they may need protecting from that enthusiasm.

He explained: "John and Alan have said they are prepared to play and the other lads are keen, which is great. But they have problems and we've got a big league campaign still to be played, which is obviously our main priority. We'll delay the decisions but we'll be taking no risks. "We still want to get through and it won't be for the want of trying if we do put out a slightly weakened side."

As Todd continued his search for a third experienced striker, England Under 21 wannabe Scott Taylor was lined up for another chance to shine if McGinlay is ruled out. The young Londoner has made two starts this season, each time in Nathan Blake's absence.

Blake signs off tonight for a two-match suspension which could extend to five if he fails in his appeal against his sending off at Stoke and has been warned he'll be up against a stubborn defence.

Chesterfield, seventh in the Second Division, are described by Todd as "a mean side".

Keith Branagan is in line for his first international cap as a result of Blackburn's Shay Given pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad for next Tuesday's friendly against Wales in Cardiff. The Burnden keeper, capped at B level, is on standby.

Gerry Taggart has been confirmed in the Northern Ireland squad for their friendly against Belgium in Belfast on the same night.

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