West Brom v Millwall: Final clash before break a head-scratcher for James Morrison
Millwall visit The Hawthorns in the final fixture before the November international break.
A clash against Millwall at The Hawthorns on Saturday is going to test James Morrison and his Albion squad for a couple of reasons.
It is the final fixture of a busy run of three games in eight days featuring demanding opponents West Ham and Southampton.
As a result, Morrison admitted welcomes the upcoming international break, where players depart for national duty after this weekend.
But the slim nature of Morrison’s squad is highlighted with each new injury concern - and it further underlines the impressive job carried out by the head coach and his staff.
There were four injury absentees during Tuesday’s home draw against Southampton, including George Campbell’s departure at half-time. It is hoped Kareem Tunde may be OK to face the Lions on Saturday, but Albion are light on numbers.
There is still depth in some areas - Aune Heggebo and Barney Stewart are waiting patiently to grasp their chance up front - but Morrison refuses to whine about a lack of options in other areas and instead focuses on concocting a plan.
"That's life!” Morrison said with a wary smile. “Just got to (get on with it). I think I'm used to using what I've got.
"In terms of the young players coming in, I like to give them a chance. Matty Crowther has been with us since pre-season and doing really well.
"And Rio (Parmar) has been doing well with the under-21s. It's an opportunity for them and I won't hesitate to put them on if the chance comes.”
Albion dropped a place in midweek but are still right in the mix among the Championship high-flyers.
Morrison conceded a third demanding game in a week with a face-off against Alex Neil’s men renowned for their physicality will be a challenge after the tests before them.
The Baggies boss was left with regrets last time his side contested three matches in eight days as midfielder Toby Collyer, who has endured injury issues, limped off with a hamstring blow in his third start.
Morrison opted for a rare call on Tuesday against the Saints as he named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time this season - unsurprisingly given the level of display against West Ham.
His side delivered for much of the midweek clash, particularly in a pulsating first half, but Southampton hit back for a draw.
"It just shows you how tough and demanding the league is for the squad,” Morrison said of the Millwall test.
"With the two games that we've had, it will be tough. It's been physicality and mentality (challenging) with the concentration against those teams.
"To go again on Saturday we're going to need everyone. I'm going to have to come up with a plan and see who is fresh.
"So, yes, I probably welcome the international break.”
The Baggies boss said of the week: "If someone offered you four points at the start of it you'd snap their hand off, and I think they're fair.
"It just shows where we're at. We're competing. Now it's just about can we maintain it?”
It is hoped Spanish winger Tunde (foot) can return but Nat Phillips will play with George Campbell (groin) out, with Collyer (hamstring) and Mikey Johnston (ankle) missing but nearing a return.
The last four fixtures between Albion and Millwall at The Hawthorns have ended 0-0, with two 1-1s prior to that.