‘I WAS TERRIFIED BEFORE THE JAB’

SAM ALLARDYCE admits he was “terrified” of contracting Covid before he received his vaccination.

The 66-year-old West Brom boss was worried for wife Lynne after he returned to management in December.

But Big Sam (below) reckons he feels a lot safer now and even more focused on Albion’s relegation battle.

Ahead of Brighton’s visit, Allardyce said: “I had the Covid jab with my wife two weeks ago on Monday.

“I feel very safe, or much safer now, not just for me but for her. In all honesty I was terrified that if I got Covid, how bad would I get it?

“More importantly, if I passed it on to my wife and that caused her some of the problems people had suffered. I wouldn’t have known how badly it would affect her.

“I was very concerned about us, and me particularly, being as safe as possible while getting back in among these young men and trying to help them out, which is obviously what I love doing.

“But since we’ve had the jab I feel safer, my wife feels safer and it’s better for me to work because of how safe I feel.”

Allardyce was appointed on an 18-month contract at the Hawthorns, which includes an end-of-season break clause in the event of relegation.

He said: “I’d be devastated from a personal point of view and for the club not to have survived the first season back at this level.

“But If you’re established as a manager other jobs come along.”

NATHAN JONES has told Luton fans to lower expectations over Elijah Adebayo.

The 6ft 4in striker, 23, scored on his full debut against Millwall in midweek to add to the 10 he managed for Walsall in League Two this term.

But Jones – whose side host Sheffield

Wednesday today – has appealed for calm. The Hatters boss said: “We know that Elijah gives us something different because of his size.

“Without being disrespectful, to step up to the Championship level is going to take time.

“We will not be getting carried away.”

MICHAEL O’NEILL has demanded Stoke rediscover their “edge” today after questioning his players’ commitment.

The Potters saw back-to-back wins halted by a midweek 2-0 loss at Barnsley.

Now boss O’neill has demanded a response at high-flying Brentford today.

O’neill said: “I think Barnsley wanted it that little bit more. We have to find that little edge on Saturday.

“Saturday will be a much different game against Brentford but we have to go there and believe we can win.”