Carlos Corberan could axe Erik Pieters in seven changes – West Brom predicted XI v Blackburn Rovers
Carlos Corberan could be set to axe Erik Pieters from the starting lineup for the West Brom game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (13 January).
The 35-year-old Dutchman was handed his first start since November in the 4-1 FA Cup victory over Aldershot Town on 7 January when Conor Townsend was handed a rest after struggling in training last week.
But the 30-year-old left-back is likely to take his place back in the starting lineup if he’s fit to face Rovers as the Baggies get back to Championship action at the Hawthorns.
The Albion boss is predicted to ring the changes once again after a number of fringe players were handed an opportunity against the National League side, with seven alterations predicted.
After being given the weekend off against Aldershot, first-choice keeper Alex Palmer is expected to return in between the sticks in place of Josh Griffiths.
It was a similar story for Darnell Furlong, who may also come back into the side at right-back for Pipa after he was handed an opportunity to impress.
Kyle Bartley could continue at centre-back after starting against the Shots and he is likely to be partnered by Cedric Kipre after he came off the bench last weekend, with Caleb Taylor dropping down to the bench.
Pieters is predicted to drop out of the lineup for Townsend if the left-back is deemed fit to play after sitting out the FA Cup clash.
Corberan may opt to bring Okay Yokuslu back into the fold against Blackburn for 19-year-old Fenton Heard, where he is expected to partner Alex Mowatt and Nathaniel Chalobah in a three-man midfield.
Tom Fellows is likely to be handed another start after impressing against Aldershot, having scored the Baggies’ fourth goal of the game against the non-league side.
Although John Swift was absent with a calf injury on Sunday, he has been training this week and could be in line to return to the starting lineup in place of Jovan Malcolm.
The Albion manager is likely to take a cautious approach with Daryl Dike on his return from his achilles injury, meaning the American forward is expected to make way for Brandon Thomas-Asante to lead the line.
In other West Brom news, the Albion takeover bidders have been unmasked following a development.