ALBION boss Gus Poyet is juggling with his line-up for this weekend's Cup tie as he has a number of players unavailable for various reasons.

Gordon Greer and Lewis Dunk are both suspended, while Mauricio Taricco (hamstring), Inigo Calderon (knee), Will Hoskins (knee), Marcos Painter (hamstring) and Craig Noone (hamstring) are all doubtful with injury.

Then Tommy Elphick (Achilles) and Gary Dicker (broken leg) have been out long-term, but loan striker Billy Paynter has returned to Leeds United, although Ashley Barnes is available again after a three-match ban.

Poyet is also considering giving the hard-working Craig Mackail-Smith a rest. "It's one of the options," said the manager. "I am tempted to play the whole development squad but then people will think you don't respect the competition or the opposition or the fans, which is not true.

"What I am trying to do is what is best for our players in the league."

There is the chance that defender Grant Hall will lined up for his first Albion start against the Dragons alongside the experienced Adam El-Abd at centre-half.

The 20-year-old defender from the development squad made his debut at left-back against Southampton on Monday, as a second-half substitute for the injured Taricco.

Poyet said: "He is normally a centre-half. He played in a position we have never seen him in before against Southampton.

"He was a bit lucky, because it was against ten and not 11, but saying that his first game could have been against easier opposition."

Albion are short of defenders for Wrexham's visit and they have also sold Steve Cook to Bournemouth but Poyet is confident Hall can step in and do a good job.

He told The Argus: "Grant is another of the players, with Cooky and a few others, who improved a lot in the last six months training every day with Luke (Williams, development coach). He is a totally different player from when I got here.

"He had some ability and strength but now he looks ten times more comfortable on the ball. He doesn't panic when he needs to pass it.

"I'm pleased with him and, of course, he is going to play on Saturday. I've got no worries, I hope he doesn't.

"Like I said to Cooky when he played against Liverpool and to Dunky when he played his first game against MK Dons, it doesn't matter what you have done in the last ten years, it's about what you are going to do at three o'clock on Saturday."

Development squad right-back Ben Sampayo, midfielders Anton Rodgers and Yaser Kasim and striker Torbjorn Agdestein are also in squad contention for the third round tie, with seven substitutes permitted in the FA Cup.

Albion have sent Noone abroad in the quest for a speedy recovery to his hamstring injury. The flying winger is having specialist treatment from a contact of Poyet's in Hamburg.

"Nooney has gone to a specialist we really like," the Amex boss. "We have sent players there before but, until I get the phone call, I won't know how it has gone."

Inigo Calderon is on FA Cup standby following the sale of Cook to the Cherries. He has completed a permanent switch to the League One club after the Seagulls recalled him from his loan spell to make his full league debut in Monday's 3-0 home victory over Southampton.

The Argus understands the £170,000 fee for the 20-year-old could rise to about £300,000 based on appearances and other add-ons.

Cook's departure leaves Adam El-Abd, Romain Vincelot and Grant Hall as the only fully fit defenders for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Wrexham at The Amex.

The Argus


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