THE accent was on defence today as Sam Allardyce aimed to build a successful survival run beginning with the big derby clash with Blackburn Rovers at the Reebok on Saturday on the foundation of back to back clean sheets.

The Wanderers' boss, already resigned to losing in-form left back Simon Charlton for at least two of the remaining 11 games, fears he may not be given the funds to bring in Real Madrid centre-back Ivan Campo.

So Colin Hendry stays - for the time being - which is bad news for First Division promotion chasers West Brom who wanted him on loan. Preston and Sheffield Wednesday are also monitoring the Scot's situation.

"Colin is not going to West Brom and it doesn't look like Campo is coming here," the manager confirmed. "But I still need to strengthen the back line. Losing 'Charlie" is a big, big blow, considering he's been absolutely outstanding this season.

"Now we only have Mick Whitlow, Gudni Bergsson, Bruno N'Gotty, Colin Hendry and Anthony Barness to cover the four positions and if we get another injury, we'll be precariously short."

Charlton, who limped out of Saturday's scoreless draw at Southampton with a hamstring problem, could be out for a fortnight, which would mean missing Saturday's Reebok clash with Blackburn and next Tuesday's trip to Sunderland.

"Hopefully that will be all since we don't have a game the following Saturday," the manager said. "But I really must try and fill that position, if not with Campo then with someone else. We're all right in the other departments but I still need one more in at the back."

Ex-Rover Paul Warhurst, who missed the Southampton game after aggravating a calf injury in the victory over West Ham, will be back in training on Thursday and could be in line for a recall on Saturday. But Per Frandsen's hopes of also returning against his former club after an ankle problem, have been scuppered by a virus that has seen his weight drop by a kilo and a half.