NATHAN Blake returned from international duty today to find his FA Cup place under threat.

The Welsh striker could be out in the cold when Wanderers go into their Fourth Round tie with Leeds at Burnden tomorrow - his 24th birthday.

Colin Todd refused to outline his selection plans today, other than to confirm that Chris Fairclough - available again after suspension - is in his cup squad.

Indeed, Fairclough is almost certain to start against his former club but I understand concerns over Blake's form - he hasn't scored in eight appearances - may prompt the Burnden boss to consider a change up front. Fairclough's inclusion would again give Wanderers the services of three central defenders but Todd was not prepared to discuss tactics today.

Leeds will leave it until as late as possible to decide on the fitness of defenders Tony Dorigo and Richard Jobson and Howard Wilkinson, who has Mark Ford and Paul Beesley suspended, also has selection problems up front.

Top scorer Tony Yeboah, Phil Masinga and Lucas Radebe are on African Nations Cup duty and Lee Chapman - on loan in their absence - had his suspension confirmed yesterday following his collision with West Ham's Mark Reiper a fortnight ago. But Wilkinson still has the opportunity of perming an attacking force from the trio of Brian Deane, Tomas Brolin and Rod Wallace.

Todd is desperate to see his players return to the winning routine tomorrow after their Premiership defeat at Newcastle, knowing a place in the Fifth Round could have a spin-off on the survival front.

"It's up to them," he said. "What happens between now and the end of the season will depend on whether they want it badly enough, whether you're talking about a cup run or staying in the Premiership. "It's in their hands."

Wanderers (from) Branagan, Green, Phillips, Curcic, Bergsson, Stubbs, Fairclough, Lee, Sneekes, McGinlay, Blake, Sellars, Paatelainen, McAnespie, Todd, de Freitas, Davison.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.