Newcastle United v West Brom: Predicted line-up as boss makes considerations

James Morrison suggested it was a pretty thankless task deciding on his Albion line-up for Wednesday night’s cup tie in Newcastle.

The Baggies boss would love nothing more than to book the club a spot in round three of the EFL Cup with some rare recent cup joy.

He is also not one to disrespect a competition and certainly will want to reward more than 2,000 fans travelling to Tyneside in midweek with a strong line-up.

But the reality is Morrison has to consider Saturday lunchtime’s Championship clash at Middlesbrough high up in his thoughts. Just a little over 60 hours separate action between the north east double. It’s a testing one from a logistics perspective - with Albion staying in the north east this week - and physically it is demanding.

It will be fascinating to see how many changes the head coach opts for. I’ve plumped for four in my team below, with inclusions for Chris Mepham, Conor Townsend, Rabby Nzingoula and Barney Stewart.

There is little rhyme or reason to why some have the nod over others, but I think those four in particular could benefit from a longer run out.

In the case of some - Townsend, Nzingoula and Stewart - there are three players who arrived at the club in the summer at different stages of their careers and with differing levels of fitness. Time in from the off could serve them well - but Morrison must balance being competitive against top flight hosts.

I’ve opted to keep the core of the side the same. Max O’Leary keeps his place in goal, Nat Phillips to stay as the right centre-back and Jayson Molumby to keep his midfield place. That was the toss of a coin with Ousmane Diakite. Both are needed on Saturday.

I think Felix Horn Myhre can benefit from more minutes as he looks to find his feet and show more than flashes of his quality.

With Isaac Price and Jimmy-Jay Morgan in the side Albion will still feel dangerous and that they have the match-winning quality to hurt an altered Newcastle side - who under new management will have an eye on Saturday evening’s long trip down to Tottenham.

Albion, of course, are without the suspended Aune Heggebo for the second of a two-game ban. Mikey Johnston is injured.

I am all for the inclusion of young players such as Alex Williams and Ollie Bostock, who are currently on the bench, but I see it as a big ask to throw the pair in at St James’ Park. Hopefully there are minutes in the tie for them.

See Albion correspondent Lewis Cox’s predicted line-up below.

4-4-2: Max O’Leary; Nolan Galves, Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham, Conor Townsend; Felix Horn Myhre, Jayson Molumby, Rabby Nzingoula, Isaac Price; Barney Stewart, Jimmy-Jay Morgan

Substitutes: Ingram (gk), Williams, Campbell, Bielik, Styles, Diakite, Whitwell, Bany, Bostock.