It’s all change for Wolves and Albion
Tuesday 24th August 2010, 11:00AM BST.
Wolves and Albion will ring the changes when they start their Carling Cup campaigns against lower league opposition.
A trio of youngsters are poised for senior debuts tonight with 19-year-old pair Danny Batth and Sam Winnall confirmed starters for Wolves and 20-year-old Sam Mantom on standby for the Baggies.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is set to field an entirely different starting line-up against Southend at Molineux, while Albion counterpart Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed he will make “many changes” for the trip to Leyton Orient.
McCarthy said: “I’m making changes but they will all be Premier League players, bar two.
“A couple of the young lads will play – Danny Batth and Sam Winnall – and the rest of the team will be made up of players who haven’t been playing every week.”
Brierley Hill-born Batth, a 6ft 3in centre-back who played 18 games on loan at Colchester last season, has already captained Wolves’ reserve and youth teams and is the club’s Young Player of the Year.
Striker Winnall, from Bradmore, made his Wolves bow in that 4-0-friendly win against the Saddlers. Other than Batth and Winnall, Wolves will field an experienced line-up with Ronald Zubar and David Edwards back from injury.
But Steven Mouyokolo (ankle), Steven Fletcher (foot) and Jelle van Damme (ankle) remain out and Karl Henry (groin) is a doubt. Stephen Ward will not be risked after his summer operation and Jody Craddock will be rested.
Meanwhile, Di Matteo said: “Our priority is the Premier League and that’s our focus.”
Youssouf Mulumbu is available despite leaving Saturday’s win against Sunderland early with a sore hamstring but Jerome Thomas (ankle) is out.
Mantom could start in midfield after impressing during pre-season.
The 20-year-old from Stourbridge, who attended Summerhill School in Kingswinford, had a summer loan spell with Icelandic top-flight side Haukar.
Di Matteo said: “He’s improved a lot. I think he’s a very talented player.”
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