SAM Allardyce has insisted that Wanderers' progress in the Worthington Cup would not affect their quest for Premiership survival.

"It's an extra game in December," the Reebok boss acknowledged as he waited for tomorrow's quarter-final draw, "but I can field two teams and two teams with good experience, which I hope will stand us in good stead throughout the season."

Wanderers effectively fielded a Second Xl against Southampton at the Reebok last night with only Jussi Jaaskelainen and Paul Warhurst retaining their places after the scoreless draw with Fulham at the weekend. Warhurst was given a game ostensibly because he will be suspended for the Premiership game at Spurs on Monday.

But Allardyce refuses to talk in terms of "weakened" teams and after seeing his side beat Gordon Strachan's Saints in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the teams finished level at 2-2 after extra time, he insisted: "There wasn't a player without experience in that side. All the players have got loads and loads of experience.

"Make no mistake, I wanted to win this one and looking at the team I put out there were no inexperienced players out there playing for us. The squad is good and there's strength in depth."