WANDERERS manager, Sam Allardyce, fears one of his own will scupper England's Euro 2008 hopes in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Tal Ben Haim has been a revelation at the Reebok since arriving in a cut-price deal from Maccabi Tel Aviv in July 2004.

The Israel defender has been an integral part of a Bolton side who remain on course to land a UEFA Cup spot this term despite a recent dip in form and only missed out on a dream move to Chelsea during the January transfer window when Blues owner, Roman Abramovich, refused to release more funds to coach, Jose Mourinho.

Ben Haim is still expected to end up at Stamford Bridge in the summer. But before then he has a more pressing concern, namely stopping England and specifically Wayne Rooney at the Ramat Gan Stadium tomorrow as Israel look to derail Steve McClaren's hopes of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year.

He has not had too much success in the Premiership this season, with Rooney contributing five of the eight goals Manchester United have scored in administering a couple of chastening good hidings to their North-west neighbours.

But Allardyce knows Ben Haim has the ability to snuff out any top striker, and worries tomorrow might be the day he finally gets the better of Rooney.

"It will be an interesting confrontation (with Rooney)," said Allardyce.

"Tal cannot stop England on his own. He will need the help of his team-mates. But he will certainly make sure it is very difficult for them in Israel.

"He is a very good player; one of the top defenders in the Premiership. And he will be really up for the challenge because if Israel lose, he knows he will get slaughtered by the English lads when he comes back here."

With his side out of the FA Cup, Allardyce accepts Ben Haim has only eight more games to play for Bolton.

The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has resisted all overtures to sign another.

Allardyce openly accepts his club do not have the funds to keep a player ambitious to appear on the highest stage.

In fact, for all concerned, he regrets Chelsea did not make a more vigorous attempt to push through a deal at the turn of the year.

"We can't afford Tal anymore," said Allardyce.

"He will move on at the end of the season with my blessing and he will get a big club.

"What happened in January was disappointing because Chelsea made it aware they wanted him but then never made a bid of the significance that would have tempted me to let him go.

"Tal wanted to leave, which is understandable, but then all of a sudden Chelsea's funds appeared to have dried up so they wouldn't pay the kind of money that would have allowed us to sell him."