ROBERTO Di Matteo has promised sweeping changes to his side for tonight's Carling Cup trip to Leyton Orient (ko 7.45pm) as he looks to protect his key players.
The Hawthorns boss is wary about picking up injuries and suspensions in cup competitions after significant set-backs last term.
Gonazalo Jara's season was ended by a fractured metatarsal in February's FA Cup fifth-round 2-2 draw at Reading and Youssouf Mulumbu was sent-off in the same game, while Jerome Thomas was red carded in September's third-round League Cup 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
And Di Matteo insists establishing the club in the Barclays Premier League must be the top priority for the newly-promoted Baggies.
"I haven't quite made my mind up about how many of the players from the weekend will start tomorrow," said Di Matteo.
"But there will be plenty of changes.
"Our priority is the Barclays Premier League - that's our focus.
"There's always a chance for other players to show what they can do and earn a place in the team.
"Luke Moore and Gianni Zuiverloon will travel, as will Leon Barnett.
"It's up to them.
"Sam Manton will be in the squad and Chris Wood is more or less in that department as well.
"They have been training with us and they will be involved tonight in the squad.
"Everyone has a chance to press and show that maybe they should be involved."
Di Matteo is no stranger to Brisbane Road having won 2-1 there two seasons ago with his MK Dons side in League One.
And he knows his troops will have to be on their mettle if they are to avoid an upset.
"We're going to try and win and progress to the next stage," he added.
"But it always seems like the big clubs get to the final of the competition because they have the bigger squads.
"They just have depth in the squad and they can rotate.
"We'll try our best.
"I know quite a bit about League One and it will be a typical cup game where the League One club tries to cause an upset."
