Sam Allardyce expecting talks on his West Brom future next week

A downbeat Allardyce spoke to the media yesterday ahead of the Baggies’ clash at Arsenal tomorrow – a match which will see their relegation confirmed if they lose.

After drawing with rivals Wolves last weekend, the 66-year-old said Albion need a ‘miracle’ sprinkled with ‘fairy dust’ in order to survive.

And after revealing yesterday he hasn’t found a magic wand, the Dudley-born chief finally seemed to join supporters in being resigned to the club’s fate.

Now the big question is will the former Bolton boss remain at The Hawthorns next season?

When he signed an 18-month deal to replace Slaven Bilic back in December, the contract included a break clause which either he or Albion can activate at the end of the campaign.

Allardyce has previously said he is open to managing in the Championship next season if he is given the tools to guide Albion back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

And he is expecting to meet with the club’s hierarchy next week where he will decide – one way or the other – if he is going to stay at the club.

“There is no definite update,” Allardyce said when asked about his future.

“We have had general chats about pre-season.

“What is happening with myself is undecided as yet.

“But I suppose next week we will have those in-depth discussions.

“We are trying to wait for our fate really.

“There has been some planning done – whether we are going to be in the Premier League or the Championship. That will need to go a little bit deeper and a little bit further after the Arsenal game.

“There won’t really be any information until I have sat down with Luke (sporting and technical director Luke Dowling) and Ken (chief executive) Xu Ke and looked at the situation.”

Albion travel to The Emirates tomorrow with Allardyce having virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from.

But one player who will be missing is Robert Snodgrass, who is set to undergo an operation on his back.

The 33-year-old hasn’t played since March because of an ongoing issue.

And it’s now been decided he should go under the knife in order to ensure he is fully fit in time for the start of next season.

“Robert has got to have an operation on a back problem,” Allardyce said. “That will put him out until the end of the season.

“But the decision has been now so that he is fine for when pre-season starts again.

“If we do it now he will be 100 per cent fit and ready to go.

“It’s very disappointing for him that he won’t be able to feature again this season.

“He hasn’t made as big a contribution as he would have liked but he made a massive contribution in our win at Wolves.”

Albion will face an Arsenal side tomorrow that is reeling following their Europa League defeat to Villarreal.

That defeat has ramped up the pressure on under-fire boss Mikel Artera with the Gunners having also underperformed in the Premier League this season.

But while Allardyce seemed resigned to Albion’s fate at his press conference yesterday, he has told his players he expects them to give 100 per cent in the four remaining games of the campaign.

“I have said to the players twice this week – I will not accept anything less than 100 per cent,” Allardyce added.

“That is not just 100 per cent effort, or 100 per cent commitment - they have to be 100 per cent behind how we want to play.

“I will not accept anything less than that.

“I know what their best level is now. Nobody can pull the wool over my eyes about that.

“They have got no excuse but to give anything other than their best.

“It’s a difficult challenge but if they give their best – that is all I can ask for.

“Hopefully, that will be good enough to get a few more victories before the end of the season.

“We want to finish the season as strong as we can. We want to win as many games as we can.”