EMANUELE Morini - the 'mystery' Italian striker who impressed in pre-season trials - has finally signed for Wanderers and could go straight into Worthington Cup action at Macclesfield tonight.

Securing the 18-year-old former Roma youth star on a four-year contract is a major coup for Sam Allardyce, who worked hard to keep the player's identity a secret while negotiations were being conducted.

Morini, an unknown outside his native Italy, had been with the Roma club since the age of 10. As a youth team player he worked frequently with the senior squad. He made his first public appearance for Wanderers in the friendly at Chester on August 7, since when Wanderers have been working behind the scenes to secure his signature.

Revealing that the deal was now complete, Allardyce said: "Emanuele has tremendous pace, great ball skills and is definitely one for the future."

The new boy could get a place on the bench at the Moss Rose tonight when Wanderers, 1-0 up from the first leg, aim to press home their advantage over Macclesfield and claim a place in the second round.

Allardyce already has the luxury of a variety of attacking options and is again expected to use the competition to give Steve Banks a rare outing in goal, having played him in the first leg.

But he has problems at the back with skipper Mike Whitlow struggling with the shoulder injury he suffered just seconds before netting the winning goal at Tranmere on Bank Holiday Monday and in midfield with in-form Gareth Farrelly doubtful with a calf strain.

He could also be without Mark Fish, who was only due back from Congo this morning after helping South Africa to a 2-1 African Nations Cup qualifying victory on Sunday.

"I've just got to see what effect the long flight has had on Mark," Allardyce explained. "With Mike Whitlow out it gives me extremely limited options defensively."

Banks, who has been the subject of speculation linking him with loan moves to his former clubs Gillingham and Blackpool, has found chances hard to come by since Jaaskelainen established himself as first choice midway through last season.

The Reebok No 1, who has been in exceptional form this season, helped Finland make a winning start to their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win against Albania in Helsinki on Saturday.

"We're strong in the goalkeeping department with Steve and Jussi but our best area without a doubt is up front where I can select from Dean Holdsworth, Isaiah Rankin, Michael Ricketts and Ian Marshall.

"There's strength in depth there as well as a lot of quality and, hopefully, we can make that count tonight."

Holdsworth's goal in the first leg has given Wanderers a massive advantage against Third Division Macc but Allardyce knows from experience that the Moss Rose can be an intimidating ground to visit.

"They had a good win at Plymouth on Saturday and I know from what I've seen at their place in the past that, if you don't get your attitude right from the start, you can pay a heavy price," he cautioned.

"We've got an advantage but we've still got to be right."

Peter Davenport has centre-back Rae Ingram doubtful. Darren Tinson could switch to the middle with George Abbey being drafted in at right back.

Ex Wanderer Neil McDonald has quit as Preston North End's Youth team coach and joined the Reebok backroom staff as Under 19s coach.