MICHAEL Ricketts says Wanderers need more creativity if they are to take advantage of their new-found solidity.

The Reebok top scorer, fired up for Saturday's big derby clash with relegation rivals Blackburn, has praised his defenders for plugging the gaps that were threatening to undermine their Premiership survival ambitions.

But, after Sam Allardyce called on his strikers to start delivering the goods, Ricketts responded by asking for more service.

"I was disappointed with the goalless draw at Southampton on Saturday because I felt it was a game we could have won, and we need to start making our chances count," he explained on his personal website.

"One positive thing to come out of the game for us is the fact that we've now had two clean-sheets in a row. All in all I think we are defending better as a unit but we still need to make things happen at the other end. We're not creating enough chances in front of goal.

"As it happens, neither team created any chances that really stood out for me on Saturday but we need to capitalise on our opposition's problems in front of goal by making more chances for ourselves at the other end."

Ricketts' strike partner Fredi Bobic - still looking for his first goal since joining Wanderers on loan from Borussia Dortmund - is looking forward to his first taste of a Lancashire derby - a game which could go a long way in determining both clubs' survival ambitions.

He fears Rovers could be buoyed by Sunday's Worthington Cup Final victory over Spurs .

"Our opponents in the Lancashire derby are located one place behind us in the table," Bobic said, acknowledging the magnitude of the game. "A victory from us will be great but Blackburn had a great victory in the League Cup final.