MARK Fish may have to settle for a place on the bench as Wanderers put their survival instincts to the test at Anfield tomorrow.

The fans' favourite has left Colin Todd with a tricky selection poser after his delayed return from international duty.

Fish should have been back in England on Monday after going the distance with South Africa in the African Nations Cup. But a 48-hour flight delay meant he only returned to training yesterday.

"I've had a good look at Mark over the last couple of days," Todd said, "and while he looks fine I won't make a decision until later.

"He's in the squad, as is Scott Sellars after his suspension, but I'm saying no more than that."

The manager's dilemma is whether he should stand by the defenders he praised for their performance in the 1-0 defeat at Spurs or recall Fish. His last Premiership appearance was at Newcastle seven weeks ago and he is back in the frame after playing six games in 21 days in temperatures topping 100 degrees on the way to Saturday's Nations Cup Final in which the South Africans lost 2-0 to Egypt.

But it has reached the stage, six points adrift in the relegation zone with just 11 games to play, where the Wanderers boss may feel he may have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making bold team selections.

One fundamental change is likely, Chris Fairclough having been used as a man-marker against David Ginola at White Hart Lane - a tactic Todd is not expected to employ against Liverpool.

Roy Evans, who has conceded the title to Champions Manchester United after seeing his side fail to win in five Premiership games, will be praying that at least some of his walking wounded are fit.

Liverpool, who have dropped to fourth in the table and are now desperate to hang on for a place in Europe, left Jamie Redknapp and Dominic Matteo behind for treatment and training when they travelled to Glasgow for the Walter Smith testimonial against Rangers on Tuesday. Both hope to be fit to return.

Oyvind Leonhardsen, who also missed the trip because of a heel injury, and Rob Jones, who also stayed behind, should be fit to face Wanderers.

Evans says Steve Harknesses' controversial race row with Aston Volla's Stan Collymore will not jeopardise his position in the side.

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