West Brom boss Sam Allardyce drops early team selection hint ahead of FA Cup tie against Blackpool

The former Blackpool boss, who managed the Seasiders between 1994 and 1996, makes his return to Bloomfield Road on Saturday for the third round clash.

The Baggies, who are struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table, are expected to change things up following their recent heavy defeats to Leeds United and Arsenal.

Allardyce, who has lost three of his opening four games since replacing Slaven Billic, is likely to prioritise West Brom’s league status and hand opportunities to the club’s fringe players.

The likes of Charlie Austin, Cedric Kipre, Kamil Grosicki and Filip Krovinovic are among the players who could get a chance to play at Bloomfield Road.

“We have to come to a conclusion on how we need to go forward - particularly after the FA Cup game against Blackpool because I will see my other players,” Allardyce said after West Brom’s 4-0 defeat to Arsenal.

“We have to achieve first and foremost a clean sheet, without that we will find it difficult to get out of this position. That is the first priority for us.

“At the end of January we’ll have a better picture and see what we have been capable of in the window to improve our squad. Everybody needs a boost.

"I’ve always managed with the players we’ve brought in to improve the team and it’s got us out of relegation problems. That’s the way for us to get out of trouble.”

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