shaolinpunk
[Insert witty title here]
Gus Poyet has confirmed that 20-year-old defender Grant Hall is in line for his full Albion debut in the FA Cup against Wrexham this Saturday, after he was introduced as a second-half substitute for his first senior appearance against Southampton last Monday.
Skipper Gordon Greer will miss the fixture as he begins a three-game suspension, while Lewis Dunk completes a two-game ban. Mauricio Taricco (hamstring) misses out through injury, meaning development squad Ben Sampayo could step in at right-back.
Poyet told seagulls.co.uk, "Grant is going to play on Saturday and there is no doubt about that. I have no worries about him playing so I hope he doesn't either. I'm looking forward to it and he will be in centre-half.
"Grant is another of the players who has improved a lot within the last six months with Luke Williams and with Charlie Oatway. He's a totally different player from when I first arrived.
"He does not panic when he has got to pass the ball out of defence and he played in a position I have never seen him play in before against Southampton, so I'm very pleased with him."
Poyet also has Ashley Barnes, Romain Vincelot and Alan Navarro available for selection after suspension, while the Albion boss has suggested he may also introduce other development squad players in addition to Sampayo for the third round tie.
The Albion boss, whoalso has the luxury of seven subs for the FA Cup, added, "There are opportunities for the players again. Barnes and Vincelot were not happy about getting sent-off and now is their chance to impress again.
"We have a few little problems within the squad though and I need to decide if I should take a few little risks or not. Right now I'd say that I won't take any risks.
"I'm tempted to play the whole development squad but if I did that people might say that I'm not respecting the opposition, the fans or the cup. But that is not true and I'm trying to do what's best for this club and the players in the league.
"Ben Sampayo will probably be involved to a certain degree and he will be training with today. Development squad midfielders will be too, which includes Anton Rodgers, Yaser Kasim and then Torbjorn Agdestein as an attacker."
Craig Noone (hamstring), Marcos Painter (hamstring), Inigo Calderon (knee) and Will Hoskins (knee) are also doubtful, while Gary Dicker (broken leg) and Tommy Elphick (Achilles) continue their recovery from long-term injury.
Hopefully Yaser Kasim starts. Only seen him a couple of times but he looks an excellent midfielder. Strong, hard working, likes a tackle and good on the ball.
Be good to see how Sampayo does too, given our lack of depth at full back