West Brom v Derby EFL Cup preview: Lower priority but chance to make impression

Tuesday night brings something with a much lower profile - but perhaps of similar use to the new head coach.

More second-tier opposition, this time in the form of John Eustace's Derby County, arrive to The Hawthorns but this time knockout football takes precedent as the EFL Cup gets under way.

Naturally, the competition attracts much less attention and interest, certainly in these early rounds, than with three points on the line.

But this first round tie comes just a few days after Mason's troops started the 2025/26 campaign with a positive feeling and there is no doubt the new head coach wants to continue to make hay with such opportunities.

It is another game in front of home supporters. There will not be near the 24,653 inside The Hawthorns against Blackburn on Saturday, but it is still an chance to make an impression.

It is a welcome home draw. Indeed Albion's travels in the first month of the season are pretty kind. There is the quick hop across the border to Wrexham on Saturday and the short haul up the M6 to Stoke at the end of the month before the first international break.

This time last year Carlos Corberan was readying a totally-changed side to travel to League Two Fleetwood Town on a miserable evening on the Fylde Coast. Albion were dumped out, somewhat embarrassingly.

This test is much tougher, clearly, but comes with less expectation, in a way, despite playing at home.

The one bit of expectation is from a percentage of the fanbase who understandably fancy a cup run in either of the domestic competitions. Albion have not been to the third round since 2021.

Some of those supporters will be disappointed to be reminded rotation is a given at this stage of the League Cup.

Even with a squad as relatively thin as Albion's - with players either missing or not ready to start - there will be changes.

Mason told the Express & Star of his plans: "I think the nature of how it's set up so early on in the season, that's probably why we do see that (rotation) because to go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday in the first competitive week of the season is unlike many other leagues.

"But that's the reality of our situation. We are certainly not just going to use 11 players this season.

"We need everyone to be part of it, everyone's got a really important part to play. We'll assess how the boys recover and then we'll get preparing and planning for the game on Tuesday."

Darnell Furlong is suspended due to his two yellow cards on Saturday with new recruit George Campbell set to deputise. It is also likely that Caleb Taylor, Jed Wallace and Mikey Johnston will be involved, as well as Ousmane Diakite if fitness permits. Devante Cole is another senior option to deputise.

Josh Maja remained an unused substitute on Saturday and the likelihood is he is not yet ready to start, but could enjoy some welcome minutes from the bench.

Academy talent midfield pair Harry Whitwell, 19, and Cole Deeming, 18, have made a positive impression on Mason and are pushing.

Whitwell penned a new two-year contract at The Hawthorns late last week and Deeming was given the nod to make the matchday squad in the Championship curtain-raiser. He remained an unused sub.