Lewis Cox's predicted West Brom line-up: How does new boss Eric Ramsay change things for his opener?

New Albion boss Eric Ramsay has emphasised his desire to give a chance to the squad he inherited.

With that in mind it will be interesting to see how similar the head coach goes when naming his first Albion line-up at home to second-placed Middlesbrough on Friday.

The Baggies were rotated, slightly, under interim boss James Morrison in the FA Cup in Swansea but at Leicester in the Championship in Ryan Mason's finale Albion named what many consider something close to their strongest side.

Ramsay will doubtless have a plan in his mind but in some parts of the pitch his hand may be forced a little, such as midfield.

Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt missed out in Swansea due to injury. Ousmane Diakite remained the only available senior midfielder but has been granted compassionate leave in Mali following the tragic death of his brother Madou.

There are youth options to call upon but the likelihood is left-back Callum Styles may have to continue in his central role. There has been more evidence of Molumby fighting through the pain barrier in midfield of late and that could be the case again here.

That probably leaves the left-back slot to loanee Charlie Taylor. George Campbell has done well of late and Alfie Gilchrist did little to wrestle the right-back shirt back in south Wales last weekend.

Ramsay will have a call on which two from three centre-backs start with Krystian Bielik back fit. Nat Phillips and Chris Mepham are the other options. That is on the assumption Albion start with a back four, but Ramsay was an adaptable coach in the MLS and it was not unknown for him to start a back five.

The impacts of wingers Jed Wallace and Ollie Bostock, at different ends of their careers, last weekend was a boost but it still feels likely Mikey Johnston and Karlan Grant will have the nod out wide and it would be a big surprise if Aune Heggebo was not recalled to lead the line.

See Lewis Cox's predicted line-up below.

4-2-3-1:

Josh Griffiths

George Campbell

Nat Phillips

Chris Mepham

Charlie Taylor

Jayson Molumby

Callum Styles

Mikey Johnston

Isaac Price

Karlan Grant

Aune Heggebo

Substitutes: Wildsmith, Bielik, Gilchrist, Whitwell, Wallace, Iling-Junior, Bostock, Dike, Maja.

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