Roy Hodgson promises to ring the changes
Roy Hodgson is planning further team changes for Albion's final nine matches of the season as he looks to use his whole Hawthorns squad.
Roy Hodgson is planning further team changes for Albion's final nine matches of the season as he looks to use his whole Hawthorns squad.
The Baggies boss made five changes for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wigan including the return of Shane Long in place of the in-form Marc-Antoine Fortune.
And, although several of the weekend alterations were brought on by injury or suspension, Hodgson is keen to hand opportunities to all his players for the remainder of the campaign.
"I just gave Fortune a rest," confirmed Hodgson. "He's done well, had four fantastic games and worked so hard.
"Shane has come in a couple of games and I thought it was a good chance to give him a chance.
"I do think we're relatively safe from the relegation zone. I'm not giving it too much thought with nine matches left to play.
"We have 36 points with nine games left and it will probably take 37 to beat us with our goal difference because we don't get hammered too often. So we're looking upwards and I'm looking to use the whole of the squad.
"People can expect few changes in the coming nine games rather than just playing the same 11 players each week because, as we saw, people like Paul Scharner, who came in for Keith Andrews, people like Shane, who came in for Fortune, are available.
"We have Jerome Thomas and Nicky Shorey back and we have Billy Jones back in the team for the injured Steven Reid. We have this level of player and I can't keep them as eternal substitutes expecting them to play from time to time. I will use them all."
Meanwhile, Hodgson praised referee Michael Oliver for sparing Youssouf Mulumbu a red card on Saturday after he reacted to a James McArthur challenge and earned himself a yellow card by sparking a mass melee. He said: "I think it would have been sad if one, or either player, had been sent off for that."