Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce thanked his players for delivering a derby victory as he prepared for a heart op.

Big Sam's Blackburn beat his old club Bolton 2-0 at The Reebok while he was resting at home on medical advice.

Allardyce told The Sun: "I'm delighted we got the three points and a clean sheet. It certainly made me feel better."

Allardyce avoided the stress of the match by watching a recording once he knew his side had won.

The Rovers boss is to have an angioplasty, an op to widen an artery using an artificial tube.

But he expects to be in the dugout within 10 days of the surgery.

Allardyce added: "I was pleased with our performance.

"I'm optimistic I'll be back to work soon."