‘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.”
Bournemouth are set to be without David Brooks (ankle) and Jack Stacey (knee) but Dominic Solanke (ankle) returned to training this week.
Troy Deeney (Achilles) is a Watford doubt but Nathaniel Chalobah (illness) could be back.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Birmingham striker Sam Cosgrove (ankle) is still sidelined.
Midfielder Sam Field and forward Macauley Bonne are pushing for QPR starts, while Jordy De Wijs (calf) and midfielder George Thomas are stepping up their recoveries.
BRENTFORD
Striker Ivan Toney (ankle) could return for Brentford, but leftback Rico Henry (hamstring) is out for two months.
Stoke are without James McClean (foot), as well as Sam Clucas, Morgan Fox (hamstring) and Nathan Collins (foot).
LUTON v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Tom Lockyer (ankle) and fellow defender Matty Pearson (hamstring) could return for Luton.
Wednesday’s top-scorer Callum Paterson (rested) could feature, but midfielders Massimo Luongo (knee) and Liam Shaw (ban) are out.
PRESTON NE v v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
On-loan pair Sepp van den Berg and Anthony Gordon could retain their starting places for Preston.
Huddersfield’s new signing Yaya Sanogo could be in contention, but Jaden Brown (ban) and Harry Toffolo (back) are definitely out.
SWANSEA CITY v WATFORD (12.30pm) v v QPR STOKE CITY BRISTOL CITY
Swansea will check on defender Ryan Bennett (calf), whilr winger Wayne Routledge and defender Brandon Cooper are still sidelined.
Nigel Pearson takes charge of Bristol City for the first time and could be without midfielder Henri Lansbury (Achilles).
BARNSLEY
Barnsley striker Daryl Dike is pushing for a start but Liam Kitching (groin) and Ben Williams (ACL) are both still out.
Millwall midfielders Maikel Kieftenbeld (hamstring) and Connor Mahoney (quad) are close to their return.
BLACKBURN v COVENTRY CITY
Blackburn are without striker Sam Gallagher (bruised lung), Jacob Davenport, Lewis Holtby, Tom Trybull and Daniel Ayala.
Julien Dacosta (torn stomach muscle) misses out for Coventry along with striker Matty Godden (foot).
MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro striker Ashley Fletcher (hamstring) is out for up to three weeks, with winger Yannick Bolasie and midfielder Marcus Tavernier also sidelined.
Junior Hoilett (calf) could return for Cardiff but midfielder Joe Ralls (ankle) remains a doubt.
ROTHERHAM UNITED
Rotherham will be without defenders Michael Ihiekwe (ban), Joe Mattock (ankle), and Richard Wood (groin).
Yakou Meite (groin) and Lewis Gibson (quad) could return for Reading, but John Swift (hamstring) and Felipe Araruna (knee) are still out.
WYCOMBE v MILLWALL v CARDIFF CITY v READING NORWICH (TOM, 12 NOON)
Wycombe will be without defender Ryan Tafazolli (ban), while leftback Joe Jacobson (muscle strain) will be assessed.
Norwich will be without Todd Cantwell (calf) and forward Josh Martin (toe), while defender Ben Gibson (back) is a doubt.
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.”