Roberto Di Matteo today challenged Albion’s fringe players to seize their chance when the Baggies take on Rotherham in the Carling Cup tonight (7.45pm).

The Baggies boss will make several changes for the second-round clash at The Hawthorns with Roman Bednar likely to be involved for the first time since his three-month drugs ban.

Summer signings Simon Cox and Reuben Reid could also start having helped the Baggies win their first-round match at Bury.

And head coach Di Matteo believes the cup clash will provide the perfect platform for players to push their case for more regular action.

“Roman is fit enough to play,” he said. “It’ll be a good opportunity for him to get going.

“Roman has been excellent and very enthusiastic in training. We’ve got some injuries so we will be forced to make some changes. It’s a good opportunities for one or two to show their value and quality.

“I feel every time a player has come into the team so far this season they have done really well, whether in the cup or League.

“That’s good. The fact they are ‘cold’ yet come in and do well is encouraging.”

Di Matteo, who scored a winning League Cup Final goal for Chelsea against Middlesbrough, believes a cup run could create a buzz at The Hawthorns.

But he is warning his side not to underestimate Lea-gue Two Rotherham.

“We will be very professional,” he said. “The beauty of the cup is that the smaller teams can beat bigger teams.

“If everyone does their jobs hopefully we can win the game. I’ve had a few good runs in the cup and it’ll be nice to progress.”