SAM Allardyce was crunching numbers today in a determined bid to bolster Wanderers' promotion push.

The Reebok boss has renewed his interest in Coventry centre-back Colin Hendry and is also eyeing another Coventry veteran, Carlton Palmer.

But his hopes of reinforcing his squad for the second half of what could be a pivotal season continue to be hampered by cash constraints.

The manager is convinced that, if he strengthens key areas, Wanderers can press a serious claim for one of the two automatic promotion places. But, as with previous attempts to recruit fresh talent, he is finding the financial hurdles difficult to clear.

He now looks certain to miss out on his No 1 target, Paul Butler, who has been such a big hit on loan at Wolves that the Molineux men are planning to secure his services from Sunderland with a £1 million deal.

Hendry, 35, appears to represent the best hope of a successful venture into the market. The former Blackburn ace, out of favour at Highfield Road, would cost a loan fee of around £125,000 for the rest of the season while his wage demands, under normal circumstances, would be prohibitive.

But he is so desperate to regain his place in the Scotland squad that he is willing to fund part of the deal out of his own pocket, offering Allardyce one of the cheapest options as he looks to fill the gap left by Mark Fish.

Former England international Palmer, 35 tomorrow, could be a versatile alternative.

The squad may be boosted this week by the return of Dean Holdsworth, who has made only one brief substitute appearance in the last 10 games. Simon Charlton returned to training today after injury.