BOLTON Wanderers are confident they can rub salt into Manchester United's early-season wounds.

Although most bookies are quoting United as evens favourites, the Whites go into Saturday's Reebok derby on a high while Sir Alex Ferguson's Reds have been ravaged by early-season problems and, according to some critics, suffering a crisis of confidence.

Already trailing Arsenal and Chelsea by seven points, there is talk of United having blown their title chances and with injury problems piling up, their position as a dominant force in the Premiership is being seriously questioned.

They suddenly have a vulnerable look about them and Sam Allardyce is determined to take full advantage.

The Wanderers boss acknowledges that, at their best, United are the superior side, but he has a knack for catching the so-called "big boys" off guard and feels this is a situation he can exploit.

"Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson have suffered huge injury problems and we have to try to capitalise on the fact that they haven't started the season as they would have liked," he said.

Having had eight members of his squad on international duty since the victory over Liverpool, Allardyce is concerned that his players may not be as well prepared as they have been in the past when they have taken prized Premiership scalps. But they have all, with the exception of Ricardo Gardner, returned unscathed -- in contrast to United's contingent who have added to Ferguson's problems.

Gary Neville, Louis Saha and John O'Shea picked up injuries on World Cup duty which has led to speculation that Gabriel Heinze, the Argentine defender signed for £6.9m from Paris St Germain three months ago, will be given his Premiership debut just three days after meeting his new team-mates for the first time.

Gardner, who is only due back from international duty with Jamaica on Friday evening, is said not to be in consideration but the lack of a natural left-back understudy presents a selection problem which might prompt Allardyce to include him in his squad after all.

"In the past we've preyed on the fact that teams like Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have had European Champions League and the international factors to contend with while we have had a clear week to prepare," Allardyce added.

"That meant we were fresher when we started against them and gave us a reasonable opportunity. But now I'm having to face the trials and tribulations that Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and all the other big boys have to contend with.

"Their advantage is that they have bigger squads than I have and can cope with it better.

"It looks like we will be going into this game on an even keel with United, in terms of the physical condition of the players, but because of his injury and suspension problems, Sir Alex's squad has been used to its maximum."

Allardyce's confidence in his team's performances in the first four games, which have delivered three victories, is underlined by the fact that El Hadji Diouf -- signed on a season-long loan from Liverpool last month -- may have to settle for a place on the subs' bench, at best.