MICHAEL Ricketts must convince Sam Allardyce he is physically and mentally fit to fight for the Wanderers' cause at Newcastle tonight.

Transfer listed at his own request, the Reebok top scorer is in the squad for the St James' Park showdown with the high-flying Magpies.

But the manager will be looking for some positive signs from his wantaway striker before he names his team.

"It's not so much the transfer request," Allardyce explained, "but he went into the Charlton game with a bit of a hamstring problem and it might not be worth risking him. He says he is okay but, if he plays in this one, I could risk losing him for the Everton game next week. It's going to be a calculated decision."

With Ricketts now officially for sale, the manager is also mindful of the signals his team selection might send out to prospective buyers. "If I drop him, it's very unlikely we're going to get the valuation we've put on him. That would only decrease it.

"Anyway the only way Michael Ricketts gets himself away to a bigger club is proving to that bigger club that he can perform for Bolton Wanderers and score goals.

"I still consider him a Premiership goalscorer but until someone comes in and takes him, he has to show that in his performances, if and when selected. But clearing his mind is going to be the first thing."