Jones sets Wolves targets

Wolves manager Dave Jones is calling for maximum concentration from his players ahead of tonight's English FA Cup replay with…

Wolves manager Dave Jones is calling for maximum concentration from his players ahead of tonight's English FA Cup replay with Division Three underdogs Kidderminster.

The Molineux side were fortunate to earn a second chance after a last-gasp Alex Rae equaliser cancelled out a John Williams opener at Aggborough.

A fourth-round home tie with West Ham awaits the replay victors and Jones is demanding his players temporarily divert their attention from their Premiership woes to give the cup their full focus.

And Jones said: "Our priority is the league and it always has been, although at the moment we're preparing for a match which will be a change from the Premiership.

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"But that doesn't mean to say we're looking at losing against Kidderminster.

"I would sacrifice anything if it would keep us in this league, even an FA Cup run.

"If you talk to the managers of clubs who have come into the Premiership - people like Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley - they had always said the cup was a distraction.

"But now they've been in the division for some time they're starting to look at whether they can win it.

"We certainly do not want to lose against Kidderminster and there's also a certain onus on us being at home which means we've got to have a go.

"If you look at our performances against Leeds and Blackburn - and also against Charlton in parts - the Kidderminster game was out of context and that was the frustrating thing for me because I know what we're capable of."

Meanwhile, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will step up his search for new recruits this week with a defender a priority.

Allardyce is down to the bare bones in defence with Ricardo Gardner ruled out for the season with a knee injury and Simon Charlton sidelined for two weeks because of a hamstring problem.

To make matters worse midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha is due to head off on Africa Nations Cup duty with Nigeria.

Bolton take on Tranmere tonight and Allardyce said: "There is a real urgency to find one, possibly two players, to bring into the squad.

"We need to maintain a good competitive level going into a heavy programme of fixtures.

"We have half a season in two months. If we win the replay we will be playing 18 games in December and January.

"That is an enormous task for our players and the cup game brings us quite a few problems.

"If you look at our injury situation we need a defender, no question about that.

"We have only three who have played on a regular basis, Nicky Hunt, Bruno N'Gotty and Emerson Thome.

"Do I risk those players and risk more injuries in that department? I think you can probably work the answer out for yourself."

Tonight'sFixtures

(7.45 unless stated)

ENGLISH FA CUP: Third round replays: Bolton v Tranmere (8.0); Colchester v Accrington Stanley; Reading v Preston (8.0); Rotherham v Northampton; Scunthorpe v Barnsley (7.30); Stoke v Wimbledon; Wolverhampton v Kidderminster.

ENGLISH LEAGUE: Division Two: Port Vale v Blackpool - postponed.

Division Three: Lincoln City v Cheltenham; Macclesfield Town v Bristol Rovers.