THE qualities that make Mark Fish such an asset to Bolton Wanderers could be scuppering his chances of a big money move.

That's one of the reasons Sam Allardyce reckons the South African is still at the Reebok and not preparing for a new season of Premierhip football.

"I don't think people like the fact that Mark comes out from the back and plays," the Wanderers' boss said as he looked forward to seeing Fish get to grips with the West Brom attack at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

"People don't like that in the Premiership but I think it's a great asset. I see it as a big plus but others regard it as a negative.

"Mark showed last season that he could play in the Premiership. He was at his very, very best against Premiership opposition - Sheffield Wednesday, Wimbledon when he stood up to Hartson, and Aston Villa at Wembley.

"He's an excellent defender and when he comes out from the back he is the most difficult player to mark. That's why he's encouraged to do what he does, provided he picks the right times."

Fish isn't quite so cavalier as he was when he first arrived at the Reebok from Lazio in a £2.5 million deal in August 1997. Allardyce has seen to that but he doesn't want to shackle him.

"Mark will maybe make four ventures a game and he'll pick those four out at the right time now rather than the six or seven he did before," he explains.

"At international level or at league level you have to be a defender first. It's tough to find somebody who can defend how you need to defend at international level and still come out and play from the back.

"You want your creative players to get the ball as soon as possible but Mark Fish is capable of doing both jobs well."

Fate has decreed that Fish, who is in the last year of his contract, is still a Wanderer. He looked all set for a £1.5 milion summer move to Charlton until the deal broke down at the 11th hour and alternative offers - Manchester City were interested at one stage - never materialised. Coincicentally the two sides meet at The Valley tomorrow when the Premiership season kicks off.

Wanderers could have done with the money but the manager wasn't shedding any tears. He obviously rates Fish and knows he'd have struggled to buy a centre-back anywhere near as effecitive.

Tomorrow he will be hoping the South African and his fellow centre-backs, Gudni Bergsson and Anthony Barness, are able to nullify the threat of the Albion strikeforce, last season's top scorer Lee Hughes and new £2 million signing Jason Roberts.

Still without a host of players - Mike Whitlow and Michael Ricketts are still suspended while Robbie Elliott, Jimmy Phillips, Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Gardner and Dean Holden are a long way from being fit - Wanderers are expected to start with the side that opened the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.

But Dean Holdsworth could come into the reckoning and, although Paul Warhurst has missed training with a groin strain, he has not yet been ruled out.