Allardyce is in a dilemma as to who he should play in the right-back position. Last week the Israelian international Tal Ben-Haim gave a solid yet unspectacular display against West Bromwich Albion at the expense of first team regular Nicky Hunt and the Bolton boss says it is hard to make a choice between the two.
"I don't feel Nicky is quite as good as he has been. This is the first test for a young man who has done remarkably well through a long run in the side.
"We wanted a little more defensive solidity. Tal did very well on his debut and would have done better had the rest of his team-mates played to their best." he told the Manchester Evening News
England U21 defender Hunt 21, was given a baptism of fire at the start of the 2003-2004 season when making his Premiership debut against the champions Manchester United at Old Trafford. He made the right back position his own for the season and managed to gain international recognition.
22-year old Ben-Haim on the other hand has won over 14 caps for his country and is a regular on the international circuit. The former Maccabi Tel Aviv defender can also play in a more central defensive role as he demonstrated during the recent Carling Cup game against Yeovil Town.