DEAN Holdsworth, pictured celebrating his match-winner against Macclesfield on Tuesday, was offered no guarantees as Sam Allardyce weighed up his selection options ahead of Wanderers' Bank Holiday double header.

Scorer of the midweek match-winner against Macclesfield in the Worthington Cup after an impressive substitute appearance in the 2-0 win at West Brom, the Londoner is hoping to make his first league start of the season in tomorrow's derby duel with Preston at the Reebok.

Skipper Mike Whitlow and summer signing Michael Ricketts are also available after suspension but they are in the same boat.

The manager has to work out a selection strategy for two games in 48 hours, knowing fitness will be the key with precious little recovery time before Monday's trip to Tranmere.

"They're all available and in the squad," Allardyce acknowledged, "but they are short of match practice. That's the over-riding problem.

"It's the same with Isaiah Rankin. He's done well for us but he's only played one pre-season match.

"Players get by on the adrenalin rush when they first come back but the lack of match fitness catches up with them and they hit a brick wall.

"And this is going to be a difficult weekend for us with back to back games."

Despite the availability of Whitlow and Ricketts - the captain's inclusion in the squad is subject of him recovering from a dose of flu that kept him out of training until yesterday - Allardyce admits he is still having to 'muddle through' as injuries continue to hamper his early-season plans.

Things were bad enough before Simon Charlton limped off with a hamstring injury at West Brom but the crisis deepened when Paul Warhurst didn't appear for the second half of the Macclesfield game with a similar injury. Three to six weeks is the recovery period in each case!

"At the moment we are still under the cosh but we've responded magnificently and we must continue to do that," the manager added.

"Injuries continue to be a major problem and are putting a great strain on our small squad but we are still sitting with two wins and a draw and, at the start of the season, I'd have been well satisfied with that.

"Now we're going into what I consider one of the most important periods of the season with two massive games in 48 hours.

"I'd be absolutely delighted with four points and a win tomorrow would certainly take the pressure off us at Tranmere."

Gudni Bergsson, Per Frandsen, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Bo Hansen - 'rested' to the subs' bench in midweek - are all likely to return. Whether and how Holdsworth, Ricketts and Whitlow are used is something the manager seems determined to keep to himself.

Fans travelling to Tranmere on Monday will be able to pay on the day, price £15 (no concessions).