SAM Allardyce will spend the next week deciding which Wanderers players he can rely on in a battle.

The Reebok boss is ready to turn to drastic measures to pull the side out of its current slump.

He is considering making a number of changes for the next game to shape a team which is determined to fight for the white shirt.

Allardyce believes some of his players are not performing because they are too scared of making mistakes.

The fear of failure, he says, is preventing them from doing the basics right and from playing to their potential.

He believes the hesitancy has been a feature of the last few performances when Wanderers' hopes of a Champions League place have evaporated and their chances of playing in the UEFA Cup next season have taken a severe knock.

Ten goals conceded in three successive Premiership defeats, which followed a 3-1 home defeat in the FA Cup to Arsenal, have had a demoralising affect on the club and the fans.

Allardyce says the fear factor could cost his side a UEFA Cup place if it is not eradicated quickly and is ready to take steps to do so.

He will identify the players who are suffering most and consider taking some, or all of them, out of the firing line to get the result they need in the next match at home to Sheffield United a week on Saturday.

Allardyce is desperate to end the losing run and get an uninhibited and positive performance from his team.

In order to achieve that, he will spend the international break deciding which players he would want in the trenches alongside him.

He believes the game against Sheffield United will be a decisive test of character, with Neil Warnock's men renowned for being up for the fight.

The Blades have dropped perilously close to the drop zone and will go to the Reebok fired up by the need to improve their position which sees them just one place and four points above third-bottom Charlton Athletic.

Wanderers are equally desperate for the points, having seen the gap between them and eighth place, which is out of the UEFA Cup qualification places, close to just three points.

A trip to another relegation-threatened side, Wigan, is next up, followed by a difficult four-game spell which sees Wanderers travel to Chelsea and Arsenal and host two teams competing with them for the UEFA Cup in Everton and Reading.

Allardyce knows his side must get back on track quickly or run the risk of falling at the final hurdle in their bid for European qualification.

Revealing his intention to pick a team strong on fighting qualities for the next game, he said: "It will be all about picking the lads who are physically and mentally capable of playing against Sheffield United.

"There may be quite a lot of changes because it will have to be a side that's willing to roll its sleeves up and go out and work harder than the opposition."

Two men who are likely to return to the team, which will be without Ivan Campo who starts a two-match suspension, will be El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite.

Diouf was on the bench in the dire 4-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday while Meite missed out with a foot injury.

Allardyce may also turn to David Thompson who stepped off the bench at United for his second substitute appearance in Premiership and is yet to start a league game for the Whites while Andranik, Idan Tal and Stelios will also be hoping to get the call to arms.

A surprise inclusion could be Cesar Martin if Allardyce looks to make significant changes to his defence.

The 29-year-old former Spanish international is yet to get even a place on the bench for Wanderers, but Allardyce sees him as a potential big player when fully fit.