Sam Allardyce will be without four first-team players for their Premier League clash with Man City on Saturday afternoon (3pm GMT) as the new interim head coach contends with a handful of long-term problems within the squad.
The Whites are ahead of Nottingham Forest on goal difference heading into their final four matches of the season. An eight goal defeat to Man City would wipe out that advantage, something that might have been a major concern under Javi Gracia.
Allardyce however will be hoping to shore up the leaky defence that his new side have exhibited in recent weeks. The Whites shipped a record 23 goals in April, the most in a single month of Premier League action.
