Celestine Babayaro has not been seen in any pre-season match because of excuses we are tired of hearing about, which means Peter Ramage, Paul Huntington or Charles N'Zogbia will compete on the left side of defence.
Ramage would appear to be the favourite, but the lad has yet to convince me in that position. He is a central defender lacking pace, and Lee is sure to use a speed merchant down that flank.
I don't think Huntington is any better. A bit more pacey perhaps, but not quick enough in the brain to read what is going on around him, and that split second can be so costly.
I'd go with Charlie, simply because he can add pace on the break and he knows how to distribute better than than the other two.
N'Zogbia has attracted Allardyce's attention in pre-season as he feels the young Frenchman could be converted into an attacking left-back, and I'd go along with that.
He may not be the best tackler, but you have more options. He can recover quicker, and you know he won't simply hoof the ball forward, with every chance it will come back quicker than it went forward. When he gets hold of the ball he knows what to do with it.
I don't think Huntington is any better. A bit more pacey perhaps, but not quick enough in the brain to read what is going on around him, and that split second can be so costly.
I'd go with Charlie, simply because he can add pace on the break and he knows how to distribute better than than the other two.
N'Zogbia has attracted Allardyce's attention in pre-season as he feels the young Frenchman could be converted into an attacking left-back, and I'd go along with that.
He may not be the best tackler, but you have more options. He can recover quicker, and you know he won't simply hoof the ball forward, with every chance it will come back quicker than it went forward. When he gets hold of the ball he knows what to do with it.
One player who is happy to play on the left is James Milner. The England Under-21 international will almost certainly start on the left against Bolton. And his contribution in defence, linking up with the left-back, is so important to the performance.
Milner: "I don't mind playing on either wing and I'm delighted with how things are going. I played quite a bit on the left for Leeds and I can use my left foot which is obviously a big help.
"I'm also enjoying it on the left because I can cut in, like I did for my goal against Celtic, as well as get to the by-line and use my left foot to cross. Hopefully it causes some problems for the full-back, not knowing which way I'm going to go."