SAM Allardyce has taunted his players with a reminder of what might have been if they had not suffered such a wretched run of results in January.

Despite taking just two points from four games since the turn of the year, Wanderers still lie fifth in the Premiership going into tomorrow's game at Watford.

But Allardyce, who is facing his first injury crisis of the season, says the Whites have missed a chance to move back into Champions League contention by suffering a woeful slump in form, particularly at home, since ending 2006 with five straight wins.

Now he fears they could be struggling to qualify for the UEFA Cup, if they can't find a quick solution.

One point each from the games against Manchester City and Charlton Athletic - when they had bargained on two wins - cost Wanderers the chance to move level on points with fourth-placed Arsenal going into a crucial phase of the season.

Instead they are under intense pressure to stop the rot at Vicarage Road, where bottom club Watford are fighting for their Premiership lives.

"The frustration is those two home results and not the two away defeats," Allardyce said. "We didn't deserve anything at Liverpool and Middlesbrough but we've had a massive opportunity in our two home games against Manchester City and Charlton to have secured the six points we were looking for."

Suddenly, after having the top four in their sights going into the Charlton game on Wednesday night, Wanderers are starting to look over their shoulders.

"We have also missed a massive opportunity to distance ourselves from Portsmouth and the other teams below us going for the UEFA Cup spot which is what we are striving for this season," Allardyce added.

"That could be more difficult after the result the other night."

Wanderers will be boosted by the return of El-Hadji Diouf, who has completed a two-match ban for his sending off in the 5-1 defeat at Middlesbrough and new signing David Thompson is in contention after completing his move from Portsmouth on transfer deadline day.

But Kevin Davies has been ruled out for at least three weeks after it was belatedly discovered that he chipped a bone in his ankle in the FA Cup tie at Arsenal on Sunday.

Nicolas Anelka is doubtful after aggravating a calf injury in the Charlton game and Abdoulaye Faye is struggling with a hip injury, which could see Tal Ben Haim return at centre-back.