BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce expects Burnley to be like "wounded animals" when they take on his promotion-chasers at Turf Moor this afternoon.

Allardyce has been at Burnley a couple of times already this season to watch games and also knows the Clarets management team inside out.

And after seeing Stan Ternent's side lose to Blackburn Rovers in the big derby showdown last Sunday he is guarding against a claret and blue backlash.

Allardyce warned: "I'm close personal friends with Stan and Sam. Never mind the players. I know Stan and Sam and I think they will be like wounded animals.

"Losing their impressive unbeaten home record to their local rivals will have really hurt them.

"There would nothing be nothing better for them to turn us over so we are expecting a tough game."

Central defender Colin Hendry was also expecting a warm welcome in his second appearance for Bolton following a loan move from Coventry City as Burnley look to get themselves back into the top six.

The Scottish international helped bring Premiership glory to Blackburn Rovers before joining Rangers and then Coventry and his Ewood Park connections will doubtless be fresh in the minds of the Burnley supporters.

However, the 35-year-old isn't dwelling on past rivalries as he concentrats on trying to help second-placed Bolton to a sixth win in seven games.

He said: "I'm sure there will be some abuse from the Burnley fans, especially after last week when Blackburn beat them. But I'm going there as a Bolton player. "No doubt there will be friction too between the Wanderers supporters and the Burnley fans as it is a local derby. The only concern on my mind is to help the Wanderers get a good result and to maintain our good form."

Hendry scored at Turf Moor on the second of his two previous games at Burnley to give Manchester City a 1-0 FA Cup win in 1991.

But he added: "I don't want to labour the past too much. I would rather go there as a Bolton player to get a result and to deserve to win the game."

Meanwhile, the Clarets may have to do without Lee Briscoe for the whole of their holiday programme.

The left-back was set to miss today's game against Bolton because of the gashed knee he sustained against Norwich City a month ago.

With the stitches not holding the cut there has been a delay in the healing process and boss Ternent conceded that three games in a week starting at Barnsley on Boxing Day might come too soon for the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

He said: "It's taking a little bit longer than anticipated but it has to heal properly. His fitness levels might be a problem. He's not been able to run with a full bend of the knee."