CHRIS Eagles admits the tension of Wanderers’ survival fight has got him rattled.

With the relegation race now right down to the wire, the Whites winger will be heading to Stoke this Sunday knowing nothing else but a win will keep the Wanderers in the Premier League.

Eagles has played in showpiece games at Wembley for Burnley and Manchester United – but accepts the next 90 minutes could be the most nervy of his career.

“It’s probably going to be one of the biggest games of my career – we have to win, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“Personally, there will be some nerves. You don’t feel them throughout the week but as soon as matchday comes around they’re very much there. I felt them before the West Brom game.

“They’re not scared nerves, more excitement and wanting to go out and perform for the fans because they deserve Premier League football.”

Eagles has started the last six games for Wanderers and scored twice against Stoke in a 5-0 rout at the Reebok earlier this season.

And while plenty is riding on Sunday’s outcome, the 26-year-old is convinced he will be celebrating with Owen Coyle at the final whistle.

“You couldn’t ask for a better manager to get the players motivated ahead of a game like this,” he said. “He’s been quite relaxed in training, but come the game it’ll be like every other week. We play our best when results are a must. We’ve done that on a number of occasions this season and I’m confident we’ll repeat that this weekend.”

Kevin Davies has also seen signs of anxiety in the last couple of Wanderers’ performances as the need for points increased.

How costly the late collapse against West Brom proves to be in the end is anyone’s guess – but the skipper reckons his side can ill-afford to let the nerves play a part again at Stoke.

“It’s a matter of getting out there and leaving nothing on the pitch,” he said.

“I think we have looked a bit nervous and given the ball away a bit cheaply at times, so we have to make sure that doesn’t creep in again.”

It emerged before last Sunday’s 2-2 draw that Wanderers’ midfield had conceded possession more than any other club, with only 73 per cent of their passes reaching their intended target.

But Davies argues that the style book should be thrown out of the window with such a lot at stake – and he has hinted that the Whites could try and play Stoke at their own direct game, using himself as a battering ram up front.

“We need to play in the right areas,” he said.

“I think we have been over-playing a little bit, losing the ball, so it might be a case of getting it in the box and trying to pick up the pieces.

“If they are scrappy goals, then fine, that’s the way we’ll go about it.”