BOLTON Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce is being urged to give his players the MMR jab to protect them from an outbreak of mumps.

The Health Protection Agency North-west has written to the Wanderers warning them mumps threatens to decimate their squad, unless they take action.

The move comes after two youth team members at Tranmere Rovers developed mumps which led to all 36 players on the club's books being offered the vaccine, which protects against mumps, measles and rubella.

The Health Protection Agency then decided to write to all football clubs in the North-west, including Bolton, Manchester United and Manchester City, to urge them to give their players the jab. Professor John Ashton, Regional Director of Public Health, said: "No-one can question Big Sams record at Bolton, but even he will be helpless to do anything about it should mumps get into his playing squad.

"When you have exciting young players on your books, there is an onus on the club to protect them.

"Big clubs such as Bolton Wanderers owe it to their players to ensure that they are safe, but they also owe it to their fans and shareholders."

Last year, 70 young people in Bolton were diagnosed with mumps and there have been 22 cases in the first nine weeks of this year.

Bolton Wanderers was unavailable for comment.