A LITTLE pact between old stagers Gudni Bergsson, Mike Whitlow and Paul Warhurst has paid dividends for Wanderers.

The trio of veterans are never happier than when they are playing together and never more frustrated than when they are split up on the pitch.

Manager Sam Allardyce was boosted by the return of Warhurst to his midfield recently and will be extra happy when Bergsson and Whitlow shake off their nagging calf and knee problems.

He says the three of them have a special relationship which has been behind much of the good times Wanderers have enjoyed in recent times.

Bergsson and Whitlow are a compatible combination at the heart of the defence and Warhurst revels in his role just in front blocking the way through.

Allardyce said: "It is like a little pact the three of them have.

"They have been together for a long time and if someone disrupts their little pact they don't like it.

"The problem is that age is catching up on them but they are still very very important to us.

"Gudni and Mike are a centre half combination who are very comfortable with each other and when they are back there will be a turnaround.

"We have missed players of their type and character."