SAM Allardyce will spend the weekend wrestling with a classic selection dilemma.

With Gareth Farrelly and Djibril Diawara declaring themselves fit for Monday's big Reebok showdown with Liverpool, the Wanderers' boss has options that are tempting him to make changes.

But, having seen the same starting 11 hit top spot with maximum points from the first two Premiership fixtures, there is a strong case for leaving well alone.

Delighted by his team's sensational start, the manager admits: "With the injured players coming back in the reckoning the only problem I have is picking a team for the Liverpool game."

Allardyce would have no qualms about ringing the changes if he feels the quality of the opposition warrants it. He has changed winning teams in the past.

"I've already played the same team twice," he adds, "which is probably unusual these days because it's all about squads now.

"I accept that but players don't - that's when your man management comes into play."

The manager's hand was forced to a certain degree at Leicester when summer signing Diawara was ruled out with an ankle injury he picked up in training, joining Farrelly (thigh strain) and Colin Hendry (knee injury) on the casualty list. Akinori Nishizawa was also ruled out with a stomach bug.

Hendry still appears to be struggling and must be rated extremely doubtful for the Liverpool game but Diawara, Farrelly and Nishizawa all played in a private friendly against Blackburn at the Reebok on Wednesday afternoon.

Allardyce, who is is still scouring the markets at home and abroad for new players, has rubbished speculation linking him with Middlesbrough's Dean Windass.

"We've had a good start but I saw Fulham play Manchester United on Sunday and you can see what they are trying to do, having already signed players and still moving for more," he says with a hint of envy.

"You can see what we'll be up against. The squad needs strengthening."