SAM Allardyce will throw out a challenge to frustrated members of his Reebok ranks tomorrow night.

The Wanderers' boss says changes he is contemplating for the Worthington Cup showdown with Southampton will offer certain players a chance to stake their Premiership claims.

Although stressing his determination to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the competition, the manager confirmed he would make a "couple of changes" but suggested that could be to the benefit of all concerned.

"Some players need to show me what they can do," he said. "I want them to help us beat Southampton then come knocking on my door and asking me 'How can you drop me?'"

Any changes Allardyce is contemplating for the fourth round tie will be designed to exact revenge for the Premiership defeat Wanderers' suffered at the hands of the Saints at the Reebok in September before Gordon Strachan replaced Stuart Gray as manager.

As in previous rounds against Walsall and Nottingham Forest when Colin Hendry has captained teams which included players from the fringe of the Premiership squad, the manager refutes any suggestion that he will field a "weakened" team.

"Every player who has played in this competition has been a first team player," he maintains. "The team we put out will be a team to win the football match."