JAY Jay Okocha says the roar of the Reebok can give Wanderers the edge over Manchester United on Saturday.

The Bolton skipper concedes that he and his team-mates go into the derby as underdogs, but he believes home advantage will work in their favour - as it did when they beat Liverpool last time out.

Wanderers are on an early-season high after winning three of their first four games and could not be in more confident mood as they prepare for one of the year's red-letter days.

"We are, of course, the underdogs," Okocha said, "but, on our best best day, we can withstand any kind of team and any kind of pressure - especially with the crowd behind us on our home ground."

Sam Allardyce set a modest target of three points from the daunting three-match run against Liverpool, United and Arsenal and was understandably delighted when Kevin Davies' first goal of the season earned Wanderers a well-deserved victory over the Mersey Reds. Anything from the next two will be considered a bonus but Okocha is convinced that they can again rise to the big occasion.

"We knew these three games were going to be very difficult," he added, "but we've got one behind us now and managed to get the maximum points.

"The next game is Manchester United and we will again be the underdogs and we might get something out of this one as well."

Gary Speed has seen enough of Wanderers in recent years to know they have developed a knack of upsetting the Premiership's big boys.

"Bolton have had a good record in the last few years against the big teams, especially here," said the midfielder who celebrates his 35th birthday by captaining Wales in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Cardiff.

"I'm not saying it means more to me but it takes a lot more effort for the team to win these games and you could see that out there against Liverpool."

United goalkeeper Tim Howard has been released by the USA World Cup squad to prepare for Saturday's game.

Allardyce will not be pursuing his interest in Khalilou Fadiga, the 23-year-old Senegal midfielder who has been training at the Reebok. A free agent after been released by Inter Milan, he has not been able to agree terms.