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Christian Gamboa gives West Brom options

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West Brom boss Alan Irvine admitted Costa Rica star Cristian Gamboa has given him a selection dilemma at right-back for the clash at home to Manchester United.

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Irvine hailed Gamboa's full Premier League debut in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool and admitted he faces a headache with Andre Wisdom back for the clash with United on October 20.

"It was a really good debut," said Irvine. "Cristian has been waiting for his chance and he showed the energy and the enthusiasm that we saw from him in the World Cup.

"He was a player I was really keen for us to get. We had competition but fortunately he decided this was the best place for him to come.

"I was hoping he would give me a selection problem and he has done that.

"It's better to have those kind of problems than the other one which I had prior to the last international break which was 'this is your team, now find a way for them to play'.

"He goes away now with Costa Rica, so we are keeping our fingers crossed about how he comes back.

"He was one that I was really keen on – I have to be honest, only from watching him in the World Cup.

"The squad I inherited had no full backs at all, we needed to get in two right backs, two lefts backs and of course they had to be players who were of the right level and players we could get to the club and afford."

Irvine's side suffered their first defeat in four games on Saturday and, despite a solid display, the Scot has challenged his side to show more belief against the Premier League's 'big boys'.

He said: "The big thing I will be going on about after this game is 'you must believe in yourself from the beginning of the game and not just when we've had a chat at half time'.

"We have got to go into these games with confidence and with the courage to play.

"The big thing I will be taking out of this game is that our players are capable of going to places like Anfield and making it difficult for the opposition."