MIKE Whitlow's impressive transformation from lifelong left back to Premiership central defender will be complete when he returns to the Wanderers defence tomorrow.

Sam Allardyce has a range of options as he plans to put the shackles on the Everton attack, including multi-capped Scotland legend Colin Hendry and French duo Bruno N'Gotty and Djibril Diawara.

But once again the Reebok club captain will get the nod to partner Gudni Bergsson at the heart of a back four the manager is relying on to deliver the clean sheet that would form the basis of a much-needed home boost.

If Whitlow ever had any doubts about his position in that pecking order or questioned his footballing identity - and his comments ahead of his one-match suspension suggested he has - Allardyce's reasoning should settle his mind, once and for all.

"I think he should consider himself a centre-half," the manager said in an unqualified tribute to the seasoned 33-year-old who has occupied the No 3 berth almost exclusively throughout his professional career.

"He has all the qualities: he's quick, strong in the air, good in the tackle; he reads a situation quite well and is 110 per cent committed and brave.

"For a centre half there is no more you need."

Such an accomplished centre-half himself in his playing days, Allardyce has the experience and the knowledge to pinpoint the requirements better than most. But he also has the technology to illustrate the point that there is more to "Mick Whitlow" - as he calls him - than meets the eye.

"When it comes to ability on the ball," the manager reveals, "his Pro-zone starts are outstanding.

"His percentage of completed passes to his own players is 70 to 80pc."

Since starting as an apprentice with Wanderers in the mid-Eighties at the start of a career that saw him take a step back into non-league before hitting the top flight with Leeds and Leicester, Whitlow has considered himself a left-back first and foremost.

But Allardyce, who had no hesitation in pairing him with Bergsson in the Premiership having played him there on a number of occasions over the past two seasons, says that job now requires different qualities.

"A lot of attacking duties are being demanded of full-backs nowadays," he explains. "Ashley Cole is the England left back but, all due respect to him, he has few defensive qualities. All his attributes are in the offensive department.

"Sad as it sounds from an old centre-half, I think we are seeing a new era of full-back. I see more and more centre-backs being left to defend two against two because there's a tendency to get the opposition's wide men doing more defending by getting your full-backs pushing on.

"The only top team that doesn't do that is Liverpool ... and that is why they are so solid at the back."

Before he sat out the game at Aston Villa after collecting five bookings, Whitlow voiced his fear that, with Hendry and N'Gotty available, he may not get his place back. As it worked out, Djibril Diawara was drafted in with N'Gotty staying at right back and Hendry once again having to settle for a place on the subs' bench - a decision the manager admits has caused the determined Scot considerable angst.

Allardyce's subsequent praise for Diawara's performance merely illustrates how highly he rates his "convert".

"Mick has been a left back all his life but I don't remember him being anything but good at centre-half when he's played for me, both this season and since I joined the club.

"He's grasped his chance.

"It leaves Colin Hendry in a very difficult position because he's very frustrated ... but that, quite frankly, is down to Mick Whitlow being so good!"