STELIOS has told Sam Allardyce he will do all in his power to keep his place in the frontline of Wanderers' bid to qualify for Europe.

The Greece international has started the last seven games - his longest sequence of the season so far - but he now finds his place under threat once more with Kevin Davies close to a return from a six-match lay-off.

But he says he has watched enough football from the subs' bench and, having struggled so hard to establish himself in the starting 11, he is determined to stay there.

"I'm back in the team and happy about that," Stelios said.

"At the same time, I am very sorry for Kevin Davies because I took his place.

"Now I am back in the team, I will try to stay in the team because I came here to play football. Nobody wants to sit and watch the game from the bench.

"This is what I love, this is what I like, this is my life and I will do everything I can to stay in the first 11, even when Davo comes back."

Stelios admits he has struggled to find the form that made him Wanderers' top scorer last season, but says that has made him more determined than ever to play a part in the push for Europe over the remaining nine games.

"It is not the best season I could have," he told Wanderers TV.

"I know that, everybody knows that. The only thing I can do is keep trying to be as fit as I can and help myself and the team.

"This is my character. Even when things are not going so well for you, you have to try to improve and pick out the things that have gone wrong."

The 32-year-old, who played regular Champions League football with to Greek club Olympiakos before coming to the Reebok in the summer of 2003, says memories of last season's UEFA Cup campaign are inspiring Wanderers to end the season with a flourish and secure another season of European football.

"Every player has missed European football this season," he added.

"It was a great experience for everybody at the club and we look forward to being in European football again next season.

"We have had a brilliant season so far and that is a credit to the players, the staff and the fans."