January signings will dictate West Brom's shape

Allardyce is known as a survival specialist for the work he did keeping the likes of Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Blackburn in the Premier League.

But at all those clubs his January additions were crucial to the team transforming their dismal form.

Allardyce made four first-team additions last month with Ainsley Maitlaind-Niles, Okay Yokuslu, Mbaye Diagne and Robert Snodgrass all arriving.

In his 10 matches in charge so far, the boss has tried a variety of formations with little success.

And he says any future systems will depend on the form of his new recruits who he is banking on to help the team improve.

“I’ve tried a back five, I’ve tried a back three, I have tried a 4-4-2, a 4-4-1-1, a 4-3-3,” the head coach said.

“The new players will ultimately decide what system we play from now on.

“Unfortunately, for me, I have got to find that as quickly as possible.

“The new players have got to make a difference and help us where they can.

“That will be me finding their best positions. And that means other players may suffer by not getting selected.”

Meanwhile, Albion striker Callum Morton is set to resume his loan at Lincoln next week.

The promising forward picked up serious shoulder injury back in September.

Morton returned to Albion to undergo his rehabilitation.

But he is set to return to Sincil Bank next week with Appleton hoping he will be available for selection next month.