SAM Allardyce says there will be no continuation of the bad feeling from the last time Blackburn visited the Reebok in March.

That 1-1 draw was marred by the war of words which followed Andy Cole's 17th minute sending off for retaliation after an uncompromising challenge by Mike Whitlow.

Graeme Souness angered the Wanderers camp after the match when he accused Whitlow of gamesmanship.

The Rovers boss claimed Whitlow behaved badly by lying on the ground after being struck by Cole whispering to Bolton team-mates: "Has he been sent off yet?"

The accusation was vehemently denied by Whitlow who was supported by his manager.

Allardyce is expecting a typical passionate derby on Saturday and says the referee might have to be strong but the Wanderers manager believes there will be no hangover from that bad-tempered game.

"Graeme over-reacted to what was an innocuous situation. It was a high challenge by Mike," recalled Allardyce who added cheekily: "But if Graeme had made that tackle when he was a player it would have been one of his low ones.

"Graeme had a bigger problem with what happened because we did nothing wrong.

"Me and Mike were ready to let it fizzle out but Graeme came out publicly and said what he said and Mike responded by defending himself."

Allardyce says the slate is wiped clean and Saturday will be all about the football.

"That is history now and there is no bitterness between Graeme and me," he added.

"I'm not expecting what happened then to play any part in tomorrow's game because neither side would want to get a player sent off.

"The referee might be important tomorrow. He might need to be strong but, to be fair, I have had little to complain about the referees we have had for the last three or four games."