By Jemma Tappenden
December 28 2008

Tony Mowbray makes five changes to the side that suffered a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. Leon Barnett is making his first Premiership start since September, replacing the injured Abdoulaye Meite. Midfielder Borja Valero returns to the starting eleven also after recovering from illness, and Marek Cech fills in at left back for the suspended Paul Robinson.

Luke Moore and Roman Bednar are restored to the starting line up, with Craig Beattie returning to the subs bench.

Beattie, who had returned from a loan spell at Crystal Palace mid December after the news that Ishmael Miller will miss the rest of the season, was thrown into the mix as a loan striker in Friday's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, as Mowbray opted for the lone striker option despite both Moore and Bednar grabbing goals against Manchester City the previous weekend.

Mowbray admitted that the decision was taken to fully utilise his strike force, defending his team selection by pointing out that Albion were not the only side to opt for a five man midfield at Stamford Bridge this season.  But with one eye on the Spurs game also, the decision to keep Moore and Bednar fresh could pay off if his strikers produce the goods once again at the Hawthorns this afternoon.

Marek Cech makes his first start for Albion in three months, as Paul Robinson's suspension gives him the opportunity to deputise.

For Spurs, Harry Redknap misses both Tom Huddlestone and Ledley King through injury.  Jermain Jenas and Jonathan Woodgate step in as replacements.

The Teams:

West Bromwich Albion

GK: Carson

Defence: Zuiverloon, Barnett, Olsson, Cech.

Midfield: Morrison, Greening, Brunt, Valero.

Up Front: Moore, Bednar.

Subs: Kiely (gk) Hoefkens, Beattie, Kim, MacDonald, Dorrans, Donk.

Tottenham Hotspur:

GK: Gomes

Defence: Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto.

Midfield: Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Bentley.

Up Front: Modric, Bent.

Subs: Sanchez (gk) Bale, Gunter, Campbell, Tarabat, O'Hara, Obika.

Big Match Team News: Moore & Bednar recalled

Discussion started by Baggies World (IP Logged), 28/12/2008 13:43

Baggies World
28/12/2008 13:43

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