SAM Allardyce may be relying on the goalscoring talents of Michael Ricketts, Youri Djorkaeff and Fredi Bobic come Saturday, but if they are to succeed they will have to beat the best goalkeeper in the country writes Richard Mulligan

That is the view of Blackburn star David Dunn, who believes that Rovers' American stopper Brad Friedel is currently the Premiership's number one number one.

The recent evidence points to Dunn having a point, as Friedel was man of the match in last weekend's Worthington Cup final, making a host of fabulous reflex saves to keep the Tottenham strike-force at bay.

Despite Blackburn's disappointing season, the former Liverpool giant has been outstanding, a fact not lost on his team-mates and the Rovers fans.

International stoppers with the pedigree of Fabien Barthez, Shay Given and Jerzy Dudek have all come unstuck against the Wanderers attack, but England Under-21 captain Dunn believes that Friedel is the best of the lot.

Says Dunn: "For me Brad is the best goalkeeper in the Premiership. I see him every week in training and he can be amazing.

"I can't say enough about Brad. The guy came in last season and he's just been brilliant.

"He was an unsung hero for a long time when he first came here, but everyone at the club now knows what he's capable of."

Although Dunn is confident about the form of his man between the sticks, he has a lot of respect for hitman Ricketts, who he identifies as Bolton's danger man going in to the game.

Dunn has been impressed by the forward who made his England debut last month, and thinks that he will go from strength to strength despite the criticism dished out by the national media about Ricketts' performance in Holland.

"Michael Ricketts has done really well this year," says Dunn. "I think that he definitely deserved an England call-up because he has been in great form all season, there is no reason why he shouldn't have been given a chance.

"Some people were unfair about him after the game, but making that step up takes time. Michael is a big enough character to put all that out of his mind.

"I also like Kevin Nolan, but I think the main thing for Bolton is that Sam Allardyce has got them really well organized.

"Bolton are a very good side, as they proved with their start to the season. I think we know what to expect on Saturday."

Although Wanderers now have an England player in Ricketts, as well as French international Djorkaeff, Dunn warns that Bolton should not forget that Rovers boast their own stars who will hope to give Jussi Jaaskelainen problems.

Andy Cole completed his set of domestic medals with the Worthington Cup winner on Sunday, whilst Matt Jansen has impressed throughout the Premiership season.

"Coley has done really well for us," he continues. "Not just what he brings us on the pitch but it's really good to have someone like him on the training ground because he's full of great advice for all the younger lads.

"Matt is full of talent and I'm sure he's going to go a long way in the game.

With an experienced manager in Graeme Souness and so many good players it seems strange that Rovers should be in such a poor position in the league, going in to the Bolton game on the back of four straight league defeats.

But Dunn claims Rovers have not been rewarded for many of their performances.

He reflects, "We've done really well in a lot of games, there have been times when we've created loads of chances but have got nothing.

"I don't know where we are going wrong but we will stay together and work at it."