West Brom vs QPR: Morrison puts trust in Townsend, drops Morgan surprise after official EFL announcement
James Morrison has been forced into a defensive change ahead of West Bromwich Albion's clash with QPR.
Things are ticking along nicely for West Brom again after a slight three-game bump.
The Baggies open Saturday's round of fixtures sitting second in the table as a result, in a clear indication of the progress being made under Morrison.
QPR visit The Hawthorns in a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday, with West Brom having never lost at home against Rangers in the Championship.
If that run is to be extended on Saturday, however, much of that will be riding on how his enforced defensive changes fare.
Why James Morrison's starting XI vs QPR will have Conor Townsend relieved
Morrison is without the injured Nolan Galves and the suspended Brayann Pereira at his right-back position against QPR.
Because of that, he's had to rejig his defensive unit on Saturday, but that doesn't include moving George Campbell out of central defence and over to right-back.
Conor Townsend filled in at left-back for most of the second half against Derby last time out, allowing Callum Styles to move to the right.
The 33-year-old returning free agent played well at Pride Park, and will have felt confident he'd be able to win his first league start of the season this weekend.
That's exactly what he's done too, with Styles switching to the right and Townsend starting at left-back, with Campbell and Chris Mepham in central defence.
Townsend will no doubt feel he's still got plenty to offer, and if he couldn't have found his way into the starting XI in these circumstances, he may've been asking when he would.
Max O'Leary starts in goal, with Styles, Mepham, Cambpell and Townsend as the back four.
Rabby Nzingoula, Jayson Molumby, Toby Collyer make up the midfield trio, with Isaac Price and Felix Horn Myhre down the flanks and Aune Heggebo up top on his own.
As a result, there is one major shock admission from Morrison's starting XI for QPR.
Jimmy Jay-Morgan dropped after official EFL news today
One far more straightforward selection call Morrison seemed to have for QPR revolved around Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
The 20-year-old has arguably been the signing of the summer Championship window so far, with five goals and three assists in his first eight games in all competitions.
August saw him score four goals and provide two assists in all competitions, which is form that has seen him honoured.
Morgan has been named the EA Sports FC EFL Young Player of the Month for August on Saturday morning.
However, Morgan only finds himself on the Albion bench for QPR, and we're sure to find out more on that from Morrison soon.