SAM Allardyce opened old wounds today when he claimed top flight referee Barry Knight cost him two of his most treasured young talents.

The Reebok boss, who launched a scathing attack on the Orpington official for his handling of the play-off semi-final at Ipswich in May last year, revived memories of the bitter experience when he reflected on the subsequent sales of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Claus Jensen.

"We had to sacrifice them because of that evening and we're still trying to overcome their loss," the manager said as he prepared for Sunday's Premiership clash with George Burley's Tractor Boys - Wanderers' first visit to Portman Road since that fateful night.

"I'm just glad that Barry Knight hasn't taken us as far back as he possibly could have done."

Allardyce was reprimanded by the Football Association for his comments after Wanderers - leading 3-2 in the dying seconds of normal time - had their Premiership dreams cruelly shattered after Jim Magilton equalised to take the tie into extra-time. They eventually lost 5-3 (7-5 on aggregate) with Knight under fire for awarding Ipswich three penalties and doling out two red and 12 yellow cards to Bolton players while the home side did not receive a single caution.

He accused the Kent official of holding "a grudge" against him and his team and claimed his handling of the game could have done "untold damage" to their future prospects. His fears were realised when, because of financial pressures after failing to secure promotion, Wanderers accepted £4 million offers for Gudjohnsen and Jensen from Chelsea and Charlton respectively.

Success in the intervening 18 months is a testimony to Allardyce's management skills but he has never forgotten or forgiven the referee.

"What happened that night was despicable and indescribable," the manager recalls. "I hope nothing like that ever happens again.

"That's long gone now ... what we are looking forward to is going to Ipswich Town to show just how far we have come since we had that unlucky defeat against them.

"Even though the squad we've got here has done fantastically well, if we still had Eidur and Claus, we would be a much better squad.

"But they are the kind of players we just couldn't afford now. If we wanted Eidur he would cost us £6m, £7m or £8m, Claus would be £4m-£5m. So that's the cost of Mr Knight's performance that night."

Knight is a member of the "Select Group" of Premiership referees and could be assigned Bolton games, regardless of his previous "history".

"We cannot allow managers to dictate who referees their games," a Premiership spokesman said.

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to read about: A Knight to remember