THE Wanderers first team is an open shop for any professional on the club's books according to Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce has been busy trimming his squad over the last few weeks as he prepares room for new additions during January.

That has meant the end of the road at the Reebok for Dean Holdsworth, David Norris, Alan O'Hare and Ryan Baldocchino, while Steve Banks, Colin Hendry and Leam Richardson have been sent out on loan.

It is also likely that young pair Wayne Buchanan and Ciaran Ryan will leave the club over the coming weeks.

Many fringe players got a run out in the FA Cup clash with Sunderland as Allardyce is determined to give people a chance to stake a claim for a regular spot - as he believes he has done all season.

He said: "A player can change my mind just by performing well in training. Henrik Pedersen did that weeks ago just before the game away at Leeds.

"He had already done it three days on the trot in training, and he claimed his place in the side. He went from a forward that could not score to one that could and I knew he was ready just from that.

"Another example was Gareth Farrelly who got himself into the team for four or five games before he unfortunately picked up an injury.

"I'm easily swung by performances in training, as well as good performances in the reserves.

"I have players who knock on my door every two weeks asking me why they are not in the team.

"But I want them to come in and do their talking on the pitch rather than banging on my door. They shouldn't need to tell me they are good players and that they should be in the side - I want them to show me."

While his team is picked on merit he has no time for reputation and that has meant there have been few opportunities for former Denmark international Stig Tofting and ex-Galatasaray midfielder Akin Bulent, both of whom arrived with top CVs.

Allardyce said: "Some players may wonder why they are not in the Bolton Wanderers team with the level of performance they have achieved at other clubs, but the fact is that the Premiership is totally different to anything else in any other country.

"Last year Akin Bulent played in the Champions League and Stig Tofting played in the World Cup. They may have been outstanding at other clubs or for their country but I need to see it.

"Adaptability is needed and the players maybe need time. It has been a problem for Akin and he really needs to make an impact at some time."

While Allardyce would like to give all of his squad members a chance he believes it is too great a risk to offer someone a number of games to adapt to the first team.

With Premiership survival a big concern, a player must prove himself quickly, and that is a warning to all those on the fringes of the first

team.

Allardyce said: "I expect a performance of the highest level from players when they are given a chance, and if I don't get it then they know they will not get an opportunity the week after.

"Life becomes difficult as a manager when you give a player the opportunity to make an impact. You can only give him one chance, because if it does not work and you lose another three points then it is a very difficult decision to make."