Appleton is aware of the example of Birmingham, who won the cup competition last season but were eventually relegated from the top flight. He has promised bottom-placed Albion will field a strong side in Wednesday night's third-round clash at Everton but admits one eye has to remain focused on Saturday's home league meeting with Fulham. Appleton said: "It's a 50-50 thing. Some people say 'Birmingham got to the final last year, beat Arsenal and are now playing in Europe'. "But, ultimately, they got relegated so it's about getting that balance right. "It's about making sure you've got a side capable of beating Everton on the night but also making sure you've got enough bodies and a strong enough side to beat Fulham on Saturday." Appleton is looking for the new faces who will be brought into the side tonight to stake their claims for a Premier League spot after West Brom's 3-0 defeat at newly-promoted Swansea last Saturday. He said: "It has to be an opportunity and that's why you have a squad that's healthy enough to compete, and players who want to force their way into the side. "You want players who will see it as an opportunity to force the manager's hand. "It's an opportunity for them to play well and say to the manager, myself, everyone 'I might not be in your side this Saturday but I'm going to show you, as and when, I'm ready to play'."
