SAM Allardyce is prepared to face Newcastle at the Reebok on Saturday without back-up for Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Understudy keeper, Steve Banks, is unlikely to figure after dislocating a finger in a training ground accident on Monday, prompting the Wanderers' boss to consider signing a back-up on loan.

But after checking the markets and receiving assurances that Banks' problem is only short-term, he is ready to take a gamble.

"Steve could be okay but, if he isn't, I'll be prepared to go into the game without a keeper on the bench just for the one game," he explained.

"After that we'll be okay."

Per Frandsen, who suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury in the Sunderland defeat 12 days ago, faces a fitness check before being considered for selection.