SAM Allardyce is desperately searching for defensive cover after losing two left-backs in the space of four days.

Simon Charlton is the latest victim, limping out of the Ewood action with a hamstring injury, having just switched to the number three berth to replace Ricardo Gardner, who faces a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.

Per Frandsen misses the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at home to Aston Villa next Wednesday and Kevin Nolan will miss either the FA Cup fourth round tie at Luton, if Wanderers get past Tranmere at the Reebok tomorrow, or the away leg of the Villa tie after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Blackburn.

With Jay-Jay Okocha missing a possible nine games while on African Nations Cup duty with Nigeria and Florent Laville not expected to be available until late March at the earliest, Allardyce had good reason to be concerned.