ANTHONY Barness offered Sam Allardyce a ray of hope on the fitness front today when he refused to rule himself out of Saturday's Roses battle at Sheffield United.

The Wanderers' defender, nursing a knee injury after returning at left back in Saturday's 2-0 win at Norwich, says his condition is improving daily.

"I'll have to see how things go today and whether I'm able to train tomorrow," Barness explained, "but at this stage I think I could still have a chance on Saturday."

Robbie Elliott, who switched to midfield at Carrow Road in place of the injured Gareth Farrelly, is on standby to revert to left back if Barness' slight ligament strain does not clear up in time.

Farrelly, who has a minor hamstring injury, could also be in the reckoning at Bramall Lane along with Ian Marshall and Dean Holdsworth, who are under treatment for groin and calf injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, physio Mark Taylor says long-term casualties Mike Whitlow and Dean Holden are making good progress and are currently ahead of their comeback schedules.

Whitlow, recovering from surgery on his groin, is expected to be back in match action in January. No target dates have been set for Holden, who broke his leg in the Reebok clash with Sheffield United last March, but Taylor says: "Dean is doing everything required of him at this stage."

Two of Wanderers' reserve team regulars have been handed suspensions after being sent off in last week's Avon Insurance League draw with Barnsley.

Paul Wheatcroft will serve a one-match ban while David Norris misses three.