SATURDAY: KEVIN Nolan comes off the bench to deny Tranmere a slice of FA Cup glory with a 79th-minute equaliser at Prenton Park.

Sam Allardyce makes nine changes for the third round tie and looks like paying the penalty for fielding an under-strength side. Simon Haworth puts Rovers ahead and only inspired goalkeeping by veteran Kevin Poole keeps Wanderers in the cup. Ibrahim Ba is a surprise inclusion, having threatened to boycott the game after failing to agree a new contract.

SUNDAY

JAVI Moreno flies in from Atletico Madrid after agreeing to join Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.

MONDAY

MORENO completes his transfer from Spain. Ba says there are still issues to be resolved before he signs a new contract but Sam Allardyce is confident of securing an agreement. Wanderers will be away to Luton in the fourth round of the FA Cup if they overcome Tranmere in the replay.

TUESDAY

AHEAD of the Reebok derby, Sam Allardyce salutes Manchester United's Paul Scholes as "the best midfield player in the world". PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire praises Wanderers for their flexible transfer policy, claiming short-term deals can help cushion clubs from the impact of financial problems and, in the long term, protect the interest of players.

WEDNESDAY

AN 88th-minute Gary Neville own goal cannot save Wanderers from a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy score for United in the first half, but Wanderers come storming back after the break. Javi Moreno gets a half-hour runout as substitute after receiving international clearance earlier in the day. Ricardo Gardner is stretchered off after 17 minutes with suspected knee ligament damage.

THURSDAY

JAY-JAY Okocha says he is trying to delay further his departure for the African Nations Cup. With Gardner expected to be out for some time, Wanderers' assistant manager Phil Brown says a replacement defender is now the top priority in the transfer window. Derek Niven extends his loan stay at Chesterfield by another month. Sir Alex Ferguson, Peter Reid and PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor lead the tributes to Sam Allardyce at a Variety Club charity dinner in honour of the Wanderers' boss.

FRIDAY

YOURI Djorkaeff says it is time for Wanderers to turn their winning mentality into points.