Wildsmith dropped, Heggebo starts – West Brom predicted XI v Blackpool
Ryan Mason could make three changes for West Brom’s pre-season friendly with Blackpool.
The Hawthorns outfit travel to the Seasiders on Saturday (19 July) looking to continue their momentum after a 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kyiv.
Mason will get another chance to assess his squad ahead of a campaign where the Baggies want to return to the Premier League.
Josh Maja is the only certain absentee through injury for the contest, although he is training in an attempt to be fit for the start of the Championship campaign after missing the majority of the last one.
Heggebo starts for West Brom as Price axed
Joe Wildsmith started in goal against the Ukrainian outfit, but Josh Griffiths is expected to get the nod against the League One side.
On the right-hand side of defence, Darnell Furlong is predicted to continue, and Callum Styles might be set to reprise his role on the opposite flank.
Nat Phillips, who scored against Kyiv, is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up alongside Torbjorn Heggem.
| Stats (Championship) | Phillips |
| Matches | 32 |
| Ground duels won | 65.9% |
| Aerial duels won | 70.4% |
| Minutes played | 2,233 |
Alex Mowatt and Ousmane Diakite are predicted to start at the base of midfield, while Isaac Price might retain his place in the number 10 role as Tammer Bany suffered an injury against Kyiv.
On the flanks, Tom Fellows, who notched 14 assists last season, is expected to start on the right with Karlan Grant operating on the other side.
Daryl Dike might be rested to manage his fitness, meaning that new signing Aune Heggebo could be handed his debut in the clash.
West Brom needs to gain momentum for the new season
Albion needs to put a good run of results together to take momentum into the new campaign.
If Shilen Patel and Co. are going to achieve their dream of promotion back to the top-flight after a five-year absence, they need to start the season well and be amongst the best straight away.
Whether Mason is the right man to do so remains to be seen, but he will have a better chance if his team can gel and he can find out his best team in pre-season rather than as the campaign progresses.
Sign up for the West Brom News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Bromwich Albion news sent straight to your phone.