HENRIK Pedersen fears he could be forced down the Reebok pecking order if Sam Allardyce gets the go-ahead to sign a new striker.

The dashing Dane is struggling to establish himself in the first 11, despite his recent scoring streak, and knows life could become even tougher if another hit-man arrives during the transfer window.

He has been linked with a possible move back to Denmark with either Brondby or FC Copenhagen and did not rule out a return when he told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "Here in Bolton things don't look to be going my way but, having said that, there's still a long way before I can say I'm going home."

Pedersen is likely to get a starting place in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Tranmere and has warned his team-mates not to take the Second Division side too lightly.

Wanderers go into the tie as strong favourites but the game offers plenty of potential reasons for a shock.

Allardyce, already without the suspended Ricardo Gardner, Ivan Campo and Kevin Davies, has hinted he may leave other first teamers out.

The game has extra spice because of the history of games between the two sides which include a play-off final and a League Cup semi-final which were both won by the Merseysiders.

There was also bad blood when Wanderers refused to change and shower in the Tranmere dressing rooms when the clubs clashed in the First Division three years ago.

Tranmere are certain to be up for the game and Pedersen knows the 16 who get the nod to play must be on their guard to avoid becoming the victims of a cup shock.

He said: "It is always difficult in this round of the cup because teams from the lower division are doing their best to beat the top teams.

"Anything is possible in football, which we showed when we beat Chelsea, and we have to be ready.

"I don't know what sort of a team the manager is going to pick but he has been playing some good teams in the Carling Cup, so I think he will do it again.

"Whatever team he picks there will be pressure on the players, because every player wants to win every game, whether it is in the league or the cup."