TROUBLED Bolton boss Sam Allardyce doesn't know which problem to try to sort out first as he prepares for tomorrow's crucial home game with Charlton.

He has lost half the back four which has leaked 10 goals in three games, with Bruno N'Gotty and Anthony Barness suffering hamstring injuries at Portsmouth on Tuesday.

And Allardyce admitted that his desperate bid to bolster his defence by signing Sunderland's Brazilian Emerson Thome before Sunday's deadline has taken a step backwards.

On top of that, Allardyce has the worry of an attack that has managed only one open play goal in three games.

One point out of nine is not the start that Allardyce expected but, in view of his problems, he'll settle for another tomorrow before the two-week shutdown.

Slow start

He said: "Because of our poor start, the Charlton game is hugely important, even more than we expected. We have to deal with it with whatever team we can turn out.

"We have to reproduce the quality of our performances against Manchester United and Blackburn and make sure we keep a home record that is very good.

"We were disappointed not to get all three points against Blackburn but we haven't lost at home in eight games.

"Our entertainment value might by great but I've been having sleepless nights because it's looks like we need to score two or three goals to win a match, and you can't have that."

Allardyce added: "We learned a harsh Premiership lesson yet again at Portsmouth, having controlled the game up to the second goal. We had enough opportunities to score but didn't.

"The players seemed to lose their focus. I have to restore that and the discipline to go the full 90 minutes.

Teenager Nicky Hunt, rested at Portsmouth after playing in the first two games, looks likely to return at right-back with Simon Charlton, fit after a knee injury, at left-back. Salford youngster Danny Livesey could also come into the equation.

Ivan Campo is expected to drop back into N'Gotty's back four role and leave Kevin Nolan, Per Frandsen and Ricardo Gardner to squabble over two midfield places.

Bolton will be wary of Charlton's summer signing Paulo DiCanio. The Italian is unlikely to start, but he is expected to feature at some point and could form a useful strike partnership with loan signing Carlton Cole.

Key Opponent: Carlton Cole - The young striker has been shipped out on loan by Chelsea, but he's rated extremely highly by the Blues and is seen as the long-term replacement for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Last season: Bolton 1 Charlton 2

Prediction: Bolton 1 Charlton 1

Will Bolton beat the Addicks? Have your say.

BETFRED

Win-Draw-Win: Bolton 5/4 Draw 12/5 Charlton 7/4

Correct score (Bolton to win):

1-0 11/2
2-0 11/1
2-1 17/2
3-0 22/1
3-1 18/1
3-2 25/1
4-0 66/1
4-1 50/1

First/last scorer:

Djorkaeff 5/1
Jardel 11/2
Pederson 11/2
Davies 6/1
Okocha 8/1
Facey 8/1
Giannakopoulos 11/1
Nolan 16/1
Frandsen 20/1

Scorecast:

Jardel & Bolton 1-0 28/1
Okocha & Bolton 2-0 66/1
Nolan & Bolton 2-1 100/1

Others odds available on request. Prices subject to fluctuation. Ring BETFRED on 0800 73 11 210

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