SAM Allardyce has asked his injured playing staff to play through the pain barrier to see out Bolton's faltering play-off bid.

The Reebok boss has urged the likes of Robbie Elliott (groin) and Paul Ritchie (stomach) to delay possible surgery in a bid to push Wanderers into the promotion zone through the back door.

Allardyce will check on both players before deciding on his starting line-up for this weekend's six pointer at Huddersfield.

Veteran Jimmy Phillips is waiting in the wings to deputise for Elliott at left back while Mike Whitlow will stand in for Ritchie in the heart of the rearguard.

In-form striker Bo Hansen is expected to keep his place up front alongside Icelandic star Eidur Gudjohnsen with Dean Holdsworth and Bradford loan signing Gareth Grant on the subs bench.

Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has shaken off a leg knock while Gudni Bergsson, who had stitches in a head wound after last weekend's 4-4 draw with West Brom, should be okay.

Squad: Jaaskelainen, Bergsson, Fish, Whitlow, Elliott, Johansen, Jensen, Warhurst, Johnston, Gudjohnsen, Hansen, Holdsworth, Ritchie, Phillips, Grant, Passi, Banks.