SAM Allardyce is hoping his tried and tested rotation policy will pay off when Wanderers finally return to Premiership action after a three-week lay-off at Fulham on Sunday.

El-Hadji Diouf and Gary Speed, who were given substitute roles in the UEFA Cup draw at Guimaraes on Thursday, are expected to return to the starting line-up and Kevin Davies, who missed the trip with a rib injury, could join them at Craven Cottage, where they will be looking for a fourth successive league win.

The Whites have dropped out of the top four through no fault of their own - the postponement of Monday night's game at Birmingham City denying them a chance to go second in the table. But they go to West London in confident, unbeaten in seven league and cup games and knowing that, on past performances, they have no need to fear the fatigue factor.

Three times this season Allardyce has conjured up Premiership within days of playing in Europe games and, buoyed by the result in Portugal, believes he has the resources to do it again.

Nicky Hunt, who returned to the subs' bench at Guimaraes just two months after cracking a bone in his leg, is in contention, giving Allardyce the opportunity, if he feels the need, to give young Joey O'Brien a break after a seven match run in the first team.

"There will be changes, of course there will," the manager said before Wanderers flew into London after extending their Portugal stay by two days to cut down on travelling and to take advantage of warm weather training facilities.

"Kevin Davies will hopefully be fit and Nicky Hunt is back in the pack and available again.

"We rested a few on Thursday night and they will be considered to start the game."

Allardyce has a healthy respect for Fulham and their young manager, Chris Coleman, and knows they possess potent attackers in Steed Malbranque and Louis Boa Morte. But he saw them conceded a late goal when they lost 3-2 at Middlesbrough last week, having twice been in front, and spotted weaknesses he aims to turn to his advantage.

"They are playing really good football, without producing the results Chris would like," he said.

"I watched them against Middlesbrough and, while they seemed very comfortable in possession and capable of scoring goals, they showed one or two weaknesses in their defending. That's something we will be hoping to exploit, while doing our best to make sure the Malbranques and Boa Mortes are kept as quiet as possible."