SAM Allardyce has warned his patched-up Wanderers they must tighten up if they want to pass the travel test.
The Reebok boss was content to see his injury and suspension stricken side kick off with a point from Saturday's derby duel with Burnley but reckons this weekend's trip to West Brom and the potential threat of the Baggies' new £2 million striker, Jason Roberts, will present an even tougher challenge.
"There were problems on Saturday which we will have to put right straight away," the manager said, harking back to the defensive lapses early in the second half that led to Burnley's summer signing Phil Gray cancelling out Per Frandsen's first half penalty.
"West Brom will be very tough for us and we'll have to do some work this week building up to the game.
"With the addition of Jason Roberts up front it will be a very hard game for us."
Roberts drew a blank on his debut as Albion kicked off with a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest but the former Bristol Rovers hit man is expected to forge a formidable partnership with Hawthorns' scoring sensation Lee Hughes.
Allardyce, whose injury problems were compounded on Saturday when Paul Warhurst failed a fitness test on a groin strain, hopes to have the talented utility man available for the weekend.
In the meantime, the trials continue with former Holland international Regi Blinker heading a handful of wannabes in the reserves at Leigh RMI tonight (kick off 7pm) when the second string kick off the new season in the Avon Insurance Premier League against Huddersfield Town.
Mike Whitlow, recovering from surgery to repair damaged ligaments in the little finger on his left hand, is confident of being fit by the time he completes his three-match suspension carried over from last season.
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