SAM Allardyce is hoping Jay-Jay Okocha can put Wanderers in pole position in the Carling Cup race before he finally sets his sights on the African Nations Cup.

The Reebok skipper signs off against Villa tonight in the first leg of the semi-final before linking up with Nigeria for the Tunisia tournament.

He is expected to miss a minimum of four games - the first being the return leg at Villa Park next Tuesday, when the Super Eagles play their opening game against Morocco - but the manager believes he can still play a part in getting Wanderers to the final.

"Jay-Jay could give us a big send-off by scoring a goal for us tonight," Allardyce said.

"He hasn't scored for us in the league yet this season. I've really no idea why because he has more shots than anyone else.

"We're hoping he'll whizz in one of those free kicks, like the one he scored at Liverpool earlier in the competition."

"Unless there are disasters somewhere along the way, I think both legs will be very, very tight," he said. "Recent history suggests they've done well at Villa Park and we've done well at the Reebok.

"Any advantage we can get tonight will be more than welcome, but the real game will come at Villa."