MIKE Whitlow is urging his Wanderers' team-mates to make the most of their dream start to the season.

The surprise guys from the Reebok rocketed to the top of the Premiership with a stunning 5-0 win at Leicester on Saturday and the club captain, who had an outstanding performance on his old stamping ground, is determined to maintain the momentum.

"The lads were magnificent, every one of them," Whitlow enthused in praise of an outstanding team performance. "Right through the game everyone played well, everyone tried their damnedest.

"Now we've got to take it on to tomorrow night."

The happy, high-flying Wanderers could not be in more confident mood as they prepare to open their home programme against Middlesbrough, who are reeling after a 4-0 home defeat by Arsenal.

No-one is running away with the idea that life in the top flight is going to be easy but the quality of finishing that had Peter Taylor's Foxes on the run on Saturday has given them an impetus and boosted confidence.

"The finishing was pretty scary," Whitlow admitted. "The second goal from Michael Ricketts was unbelievable - one touch, bang, see you later!

"We've had an up and down pre-season but everyone has stuck by each other and that's the way it's got to be."

No-one emphasises the team ethic more than Whitlow, who won particular praise for himself from team captain, Gudni Bergsson.

But on the day when the majority of the accolades went to Per Frandsen and Kevin Nolan, the club captain acknowledged the contribution to the cause of the third member of the central midfield trio, Paul Warhurst.

Acknowledging the quality of the man who won a Premiership title with Blackburn in 1995, he said: "For me, the main difference is that when Paul Warhurst plays we don't lose very often.

"He is a great player and a great passer. he does an unbelievable job."

Sam Allardyce is hoping to have his squad back to something near full-strength for the Middlesbrough game.

Colin Hendry (knee), Gareth Farrelly (thigh), Djibril Diawara (ankle) and Akinori Nishizawa (stomach bug) were all missing at Leicester, where Bergsson was taken off as a precaution after complaining of a tight hamstring.

But the manager reckons: "Maybe we'll get one or two fit."