Club News

Albion v Norwich - team news

Lugano handed full Prem debut as Clarke makes changes

DIEGO Lugano is handed his full Barclays Premier League debut as Steve Clarke makes five changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Manchester City on Wednesday.

The World Cup-bound Uruguay captain replaces the suspended Jonas Olsson at the heart of defence.

Billy Jones also returns from injury to take his place in the Baggies’ back-four at right-back, with Steven Reid missing out altogether.

The other men recalled to Albion’s starting XI are Youssouf Mulumbu, Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anichebe, with James Morrison, Saido Berahino and Shane Long dropping to the bench.

Scott Sinclair and Zoltan Gera are the men to miss out on the final 18-man matchday squad.

While the game comes too soon for Nicolas Anelka after only returning to training this week following a niggling groin problem.

Chris Hughton makes three changes to the Canaries team that was thrashed 5-1 at Liverpool in midweek.

Steven Whittaker, Michael Turner and Gary Hooper come in for benched trio Ryan Bennett, Russell Martin and Wes Hoolahan.

ALBION: Myhill, Jones, McAuley, Lugano, Ridgewell, Yacob, Mulumbu, Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Brunt (c), Anichebe. Subs: L Daniels (gk), Dawson, Long, Vydra, Popov, Morrison, Berahino.

NORWICH: Ruddy; Whittaker, Turner, Bassong (c), Olsson; Redmond, Howson, Johnson, Fer, Elmander, Hooper. Subs: Nash (gk), Martin, Hoolahan, Garrido, Becchio, R Bennett, Josh Murphy.

REFEREE: M Clattenburg (Durham).