SAM Allardyce is aiming to make Leeds pay a Premiership penalty for their success in Europe.

The Wanderers' boss believes Terry Venables' men, already handicapped by injury and suspension and under pressure to improve their poor home record, may be jaded after their UEFA Cup triumph over Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Florence.

So the key to his Elland Road game plan on Sunday will be to test the stamina and the nerve of the players who could be feeling the strain after Thursday's efforts in Florence.

"We've got to realise that the longer we stay in the game, the better our chance of getting a result," he explained. "The longer it goes without us conceding, the more pressure is going to be on Leeds for two reasons: one, because of their recent home form; two, the fatigue of their players which will kick in."

But Allardyce believes the solution to his own team's problems - bottom of the table with just nine points from their first 12 games - are in their own hands. Having taken just three points from their last eight games, the last three against clubs in the lower reaches of the division, the current form guide does not make for pleasant reading for Wanderers' fans and the manager is worried that too many players are struggling to produce the goods.

"There are a number of positive areas we have identified where, if we play to our level, we can get a result," he claims, "but it's us playing to our level that is the key. The players have to play to their best, collectively and individually.

"We all know that, if we get too many dip-offs, it will be a struggle for us. We can only afford maybe one or two but certainly no more than that - and that is the problem we have at the moment because, while we have five or six players producing excellent performances, we have ,maybe three or four who are below par.

"That's one of the keys factors in our lack of wins and it's something we have to get right."

Venables is already without Robbie Fowler, Seth Johnson, Dominic Matteo and Olivier Dacourt, who are long-term injuries, and the suspended Lee Bowyer. But Mark Viduka is available having missed the Tel-Aviv game after becoming a father for the first time this week and Danny Mills returns after being rested for what has been described as "personal problems".

Lucas Radebe is almost certainly out with a recurrence of a knee injury, but Teddy Lucic returns after being ineligible for the UEFA Cup tie which could ease Leeds' problems if Jonathan Woodgate fails to shake off a groin problem which has kept him out for the last two games.

Venables gave the impression he was clutching at straws when he said he was relieved the kick off in Florence was brought forward, claiming the extra three hours could make all the difference. But Allardyce concurred when he acknowledged: "Considering the fine dividing lines we work to these days, three hours can be crucial.

"I've said before that the right fluid, the right food and the right amount of rest is more crucial now than ever before."