THE fans are flocking to back Wanderers on their European adventure.

Latest estimates suggest the Whites will have a following of 3,000 in Portugal next week when they resume their UEFA Cup campaign against Vitoria Guimaraes.

Demand for match tickets and travel packages have prompted club officials to charter a fifth plane, and business continues to operate at a brisk pace at the Reebok Stadium.

Sam Allardyce, who was overwhelmed by the backing his team received from a 2,000-plus following when they secured a first round victory over Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria in September, has been told to expect a much greater number this time.

Wanderers anticipated a high demand for Guimaraes tickets when only around 400 travelled to Istanbul for the opening group game against Besiktas last month. But the impressive draw in Turkey and the subsequent home victory over Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg, has put the Whites in a position to secure a place in the last 32 with a victory in Portugal and has captured the fans' imagination.

Allardyce has declared his intention to give the Guimaraes game his best shot to avoid going into the final group game at the Reebok on December 14 having to beat the crack Spanish outfit, Sevilla, to claim one of the three qualification places.

Wanderers have assured supporters their allocation of 4,500 tickets for the game in the 30,000-capacity Dom Afonso Henriques Stadium on November 24 will be sufficient to satisfy demand but had not expected to have to lay on an extra plane.

In conjunction with their official travel partrner, TMG, they are offering packages priced from £215. Supporters can register their interest by calling 01926 456 276 (Mon-Fri 9.30am to 5.30pm).

Supporters will then be contacted by TMG once the travel arrangements have been clarified.