West Brom v Sheffield Wednesday: Lewis Cox's predicted XI with attacking decision
Albion head coach Ryan Mason does not have stacks of options for tomorrow's visit of Sheffield Wednesday due to fitness concerns.
The Baggies look to return to winning ways with some home comforts against the basement boys who slumped 14 points adrift last week having been hit with a 12-point penalty for entering administration.
Mason's side were patched up following successive away days at Watford and Ipswich last week, both of which proved fruitless.
The head coach revealed in Friday's press conference that his options remain just as limited in central midfield, where both Jayson Molumby (muscle) and Toby Collyer (hamstring) remained sidelined for a third game in succession.
It points to Alex Mowatt and Ousmane Diakite, the other natural options, continuing in that role. Mason did point out that he does have the choice to use versatile left-back Callum Styles in the position, or defender Krystian Bielik.
With the onus on the hosts to win against lowly opposition in front of home supporters tomorrow I have opted for an attacking change at left-back with Styles recalled for Charlie Taylor. That could be in the balance, however, if the head coach opts for Styles in midfield instead of the more defensive Diakite.
In attack I see one change too. Josh Maja may well lead the line in place of Aune Heggebo. Maja started the last home game, the 2-1 win over Preston a fortnight ago, but was unable to start in the following clashes at Vicarage Road and Portman Road, as Mason cited care around the frontman's comeback.
But Maja is a better source for goals and could get the nod here following a week's worth of training.
There was better news at right-back with Alfie Gilchrist passed as able to feature after a recent ankle scare which saw him limp out of a first start against Watford and sit out the Ipswich defeat.
Gilchrist has trained this week and will be among the squad with a chance at a first home start.
It is another three-match week of two Saturday home games against lower opposition sandwiching a tricky midweek trip to Charlton. The strikers will clearly be rotated.
The front three supporting cast seems to pick itself with Samuel Iling-Junior, Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price having the nod. Karlan Grant has been back for a couple of weeks and will want to feature, though.
See Albion correspondent Lewis Cox's predicted side below.
4-2-3-1:
Josh Griffiths
Alfie Gilchrist
Nat Phillips
Chris Mepham
Callum Styles
Ousmane Diakite
Alex Mowatt
Samuel Iling-Junior
Isaac Price
Mikey Johnston
Josh Maja
Substitutes: Wildsmith, Campbell, Bielik, Taylor, Deeming, Bany, Grant, Dike, Heggebo.
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