SAM Allardyce will send out his Reebok survival squad with orders to avoid defeat at all costs against West Ham on Saturday.

Wanderers go into their biggest ever game in the Premiership knowing that victory could be enough to keep them up.

Conversely, defeat would lift West Ham up to level points with Wanderers and with the confidence of a seven-match unbeaten run under their belts.

With the collapse of the ITV Digital deal this season multiplying the importance of maintaining Premiership existence, relegation for either side is unthinkable.

Victory would extend Wanderers' lead over the Hammers to six points and improve their better goal difference to at least nine goals.

If that adds up to pressure on Wanderers then Allardyce believes the tension being felt at Upton Park must be unbearable.

"It is a massive game for both clubs," he declared.

"A year ago to the day we had exactly the same situation against Ipswich, three points ahead of them, the game at the Reebok and needing a victory.

"It will not be the end of the world if we draw because we will stay ahead of them and that puts a big pressure on them.

"It is a big pressure for them to take on Saturday and they will be very nervous.

"We will be feeling the nerves on the day but if we're feeling that way, just think how must they be feeling.

"Ipswich were very nervous in the same situation last season and we capitalised on that.

"That victory did not clinch survival for us mathematically but I believe it clinched it mentally because that result mentally destroyed Ipswich."

There will be no surprises in the Wanderers starting 11 with French defender Bruno N'Gotty recovering from the calf strain which kept him out of the Chelsea clash at Stamford Bridge last week.

He will return in place of Anthony Barness to reunite the team which returned nine points and straight clean sheets in its previous three games.

The atmosphere is guaranteed to be red hot at the Reebok with home advantage a major plus for Wanderers on current form.

"The Reebok has been a bit of a fortress for us recently," Allardyce enthused.

"We have done well at home since we lost our last game here against Everton which now seems to be a long time ago."