Midfielder Alan Quinn and defender Tommy Smith could be in line for starts when the Blues travel to West Brom for Saturday’s live Sky game (KO 5.20pm). The duo were given an hour in Wednesday’s reserve game against Peterborough and look to be in manager Roy Keane’s plans as Town go looking for their first Championship win of the season.

Quinn could come into the centre of midfield area in which Colin Healy and Liam Trotter failed to impress against Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The former Sheffield United man could be joined by Owen Garvan, who is yet to make a start this season.

Keane will have to decide whether he plays the 4-3-3 formation used in the opening few games or continue with the 4-4-2 utilised against the Eagles in midweek. If he sticks with a three, Liam Trotter may keep his place with Jaime Peters still ruled out with the ankle injury he sustained against Leicester, while Ed Upson could be on the bench after again doing well in the reserves.

Lee Martin and Jon Walters are likely to continue in the wide roles regardless of formation, despite neither overly impressing so far this season.

Smith could come in at the back, probably at centre-half for Pim Balkestein alongside Gareth McAuley, although the former England U17 international was previously used at left-back by Roy Keane in last season's final game against Coventry and the 19-year-old may replace Damien Delaney.

Keane will also have to choose between David Wright and Alex Bruce at right-back with the Irish international also in with a chance of a central defensive role.

Ben Thatcher could play for the reserves next week, although is still a fair way of a return to the first team after last season's knee ligament injury. Luciano Civelli isn't due back until early 2010 and David Norris until Christmas, also due to knee ligament injuries.

Up front, Keane says it's too soon for Pablo Counago to return to the first team despite clearly impressing his manager in the reserves game earlier in the week. The Spaniard could be back in contention for a return to the senior side next week.

Jon Stead may get a recall having looked more dangerous from the bench in midweek, probably alongside Tamas Priskin with Connor Wickham seeming unlikely to be given two starts in a week, particularly as the 16-year-old will probably play from the off at Peterborough in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Keane says he's hopeful that his side can make progress in the weeks to come and says that facing West Brom will be a significant test: "The way they've started they look like they're going to have a great chance of being promoted.

"It's another challenge, it's a good game for us and we're looking forward to it. Despite the sluggish start we've had, I'm sure in the next few weeks there'll be a big improvement.

"There have been parts of the game where we've been not bad, but it's been too brief. We've certainly got to stop giving away the type of goals we've been giving away and we need some of the senior players to step up to the plate and show leadership skills."

West Brom have lost skipper Jonathan Greening, who has joined Fulham on loan for the season, while midfielder Borja Valero is set to move to Real Santander. Keeper Scott Carson replaces Greening as the Baggies' captain.

Graeme Dorrans misses out after being red-carded in the 3-2 win at Peterborough in midweek, while defender Gianni Zuiverloon is out for a fortnight with a hamstring strain, striker Ishmael Miller has a long-time knee problem, midfielder James Morrison a heel injury and defender Neil Clement a knee problem.

Striker Roman Bednar is back from his drugs ban but is unlikely to be involved due to his lack of fitness after his spell out.

New manager Roberto Di Matteo says he is looking forward to facing Roy Keane again after enjoying their confrontations during his time as a Chelsea player: "We had a few battles during our careers and I always enjoyed them because there were always good clashes against Manchester United and against Roy Keane in particular.

"I think we will both be happy to have a glass of wine now after the games rather than clashing on the field.

"We were always fair. It was hard and tough but fair. He was a good player and a strong personality who was well-respected in his team.

"He probably has a bit more experience than me and has been in the job a bit longer. He's got a bit more hair than me as well so I don't see too many comparisons.

"I think at the end of the season Ipswich will be up there and so will Nottingham Forest."

Town have had much the better of the Baggies over the years, winning 32 games between the sides (30 in the league), drawing 15 (13) and losing 20 (19).

The teams last met at Portman Road on New Year's Day 2008 when goals from David Wright and Jason De Vos gave the Blues a 2-0 victory.

Earlier in the season, the Blues had lost 4-0 at the Hawthorns with three of the goals coming in the final three minutes of the match. Ishmael Miller, Filipe Teixeira and Kevin Phillips (2) netted for the side then managed by Tony Mowbray.

No member of the current West Brom squad has played a first team game for the Blues, although keeper Dean Kiely spent time on loan at Portman Road in 1989 without making an appearance. None of the Town squad have played for the Baggies.

Saturday's referee is Premier League official Steve Tanner from Somerset, who showed 109 yellow and 10 red cards in 32 games last season. In his one match this term, Barnsley against Coventry last Saturday, he showed three yellows and one red.

Tanner's last Town game was the 3-2 defeat at Preston when the Lilywhites were awarded a very questionable penalty, although that was more down to the linesman than the referee.

Likely squad: R Wright, Lee-Barrett, Bruce, Wright, Delaney, McAuley, Smith, Balkestein, Garvan, Quinn, Trotter, Healy, Upson, Colback, Walters, Martin, Stead, Priskin, Wickham.

Photo: Action Images

WickedBlue added 16:17 - Aug 21 We will play better tomorrow just because we are away from home. The negativity around PR is effecting the players hence the bad performances. It's a shame really that our team can't play at home with the full backing of its supporters instead of the boo boys who will boo at the slightest thing and bring the teams confidence down.
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tractor_lady added 16:46 - Aug 21 I think McAuley has some unfair stick on here, i honestly think that he struggles as captain and drop this and he wil relax into his game more and show the potential he did end of last season. Definately think Delany needs to be dropped (from a great height!)..... O'Connor did a great fill in job at left back, or maybe David Wright. Never thought id say it by cant wait for Thatcher to get fit, at least he plays with Passion (and after his display against Norwich a great team motivator).... having a 'tractor party' tmw, lets hope im toasting a win not drowning my sorrows :-)

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:51 - Aug 21 you may have a point WB ,BUT things do need to change, to get promoted you need to be consistant and cant have long bad spells.RK said Prem within 2 years,not us, if we do not finish within a shout,then 2ND season will be old story ,building once you get behind in the points ,you are always doing the chasing .
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keanotheenforcer added 16:53 - Aug 21 I have been to both home games as a season ticket holder and I watched the Coventry game on sky so I feel like I can make a accurate and honest opinion. I think if Pim gets dropped before Mcauley then it is the biggest injustice that could happen and I will lose a little bit of faith in Mr Keane. Against leicester, he saved Mcauley so many times and made some crucial tackles otherwise we would have lost that game. As for Trotter, was who ever wrote this article at the game against Crystal Palace Tuesday night as the only two players to come away with any diginity intact where Bruce & Trotter so to say Trotter needs to be dropped is another travesty! For me the weak links in the team are simple, Mcauley at the moment is an obvious one, seems to have started this season like he did the last. Delaney who has no pace whats so ever and is afraid to put in a tackle is another that needs a rocket up him. Martin who for one leaves Delaney very prone at the back as he never tracks back and gets drawn in far to much into the middle so we constantly have no one on the left side of midfield is a problem. Healy does not look championship level at the moment but he played far better in the first half at Palace then he did against Leicester making one crucial tackle, but the jury is still out on him. Would have to admit, my team would be and feel free to disagree here, thats the point of a forum isnt it would be: R. Wright (GK) D. Wright (RB) A. Bruce (CB) P. Balkestein (CB) J. Peters (LB) L. Trotter (DMF) O. Garvan (MF) J. Colback (MF) L. Martin (AML) J. Walters (AMR) T, Priskin (ST) So a 4-3-3 that can adopt into the 4-5-1. Mcauley for me has to be dropped, Peters at left back gives us pace going forward, plenty of stamina and never shys away from a tackle. Trotter is best deployed in the holding midfield role such as when he was at loan at Scunny last season. Our midfield has struggled all season so far so would love to see young Colback given a chance-the lad cant honestly do much worse then anyone else that has played there this season. Ok even though I have slated Martin, lack of other players that can play in that position means he gets the nod. And Priskin has to start going with this formation as it is obvious Stead can not operate as a lone striker so lets see what Priskin can do given the chance. Here is hoping for a much needed win over the baggies this Saturday, come on you blues! Over to you Mr Keane

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bedsitfc added 17:03 - Aug 21 my 1st 11 is; r.wright d.wright, mcauley, smith, pim walters, garvan, trotter, martin priskin, stead diamond with trotter in front of back 4
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harmyarmy added 17:13 - Aug 21 Ainsley needs some first team
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disability_dan added 17:36 - Aug 21 I don't believe Pim will be dropped, if anything he's played far better than our esteemed club captain. Delaney has been poor, even in pre-season, and can't defend him anymore. I don't see what Keane see's in him (if anyone does please tell me or message me) I honestly would play Thatcher or if Harding was here still start him infront of Delaney. Smith and Peters would do a better job. This is what I'd play tomorrow GK: WRIGHT RB: BRUCE (Excellent performance tuesday night and stood out above the rest compared to others and MOTM in my opinion) CB: McAULEY (Needs to start performing and quick!) CB: PIM (has been reasonably consistant thus far) LB: D.WRIGHT/ SMITH RM: WALTERS CM: GARVAN (Don't understand why Keane hasn't been starting him and is one of our most gifted players on his day in my opinion) CM: TROTTER/QUINN ( Trotter in the past 2 games he has been poor but playing along side Healy isn't helping him whatsoever. Quinn looked lively Tuesday when he came on) LM: Martin FC: PRISKIN (Isn't a target man and needs the ball to his feet to be effective) FC: STEAD (Wickham likely to play against Peterborough and is only 16 years old, no need to put him under pressure to perform in a under performing side at the moment)

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Wozza added 18:00 - Aug 21 Good to see Smith getting a start. Roy, please drop Delaney for this game, if any one player is a potential embarrassment on live TV it is this guy.
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darren_cox added 18:30 - Aug 21 about time to. lets hope they drop delaney and healy. should definitely start wiv garvan.
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paul73 added 20:06 - Aug 21 when town run out at the hawthorns tomorrow,there will be a someone new leading them out.....step forward alex bruce..the new town captain....also heard that delaney has been left out of squad....keane also never wanted to sell counago..that was down to a certain mr.glegg...wink wink
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pabloc added 21:34 - Aug 21 mcauley,delaney out ,to much ball watching give smith and wright a go cant do much worse.I think our strikers are like pringles once they start they wont stop,keep the faith.
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bluewein added 00:11 - Aug 22 Agree Wicked Blue, we go on about how great our support is with our 16000 season tickets sold but it seems 2 many of them aren't happy unless they're moaning. In Keane we trust!!!!!
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tommytomkins added 10:46 - Aug 22 great call from keane for the captaincy, if we had 11 bruces on the pitch, we'd be fantastic! puts his all into every game, only ever bothered about winning the ball! i haven't met anyone who dislikes him as a player, maybe taking the captaincy from mcauley will take the weight from his shoulders and he might even have a slightly better performance come on town!!!!

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The_Tomonator added 13:30 - Aug 22 i agree with you disabled dan. broooooooooooooooooooooooce was excelent on tuesday got forward a lot, priskin needs a go especially at his price. up the towwwan
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tractorboyupnorth added 14:47 - Aug 22
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tractorboyupnorth added 14:49 - Aug 22 Is it me or does anyone else read a little more into Keane saying "we need some of the senior players to step up to the plate and show leadership skills." Perhaps a new captain is soon to be among us!?! Despite the woeful performance against Palace on Tuesday a number of players did show their worth, in particular for me Bruce showed real passion and the drive that could move Town forward. I'd admit he can be a bit of a hot headed, but wasn't a certain Man U captain once? Bruce's kissing of the badge in front of the North Stand during the match for me symbolised where his heart is! I'd admit I was pissed as were many during the end of last season when Bruce appeared to mess us about with will he sign or won't he? But who wouldn't hold out for a better deal if they have the belief in themselves and for Keane to come in and agree say's a lot too. I look forward to seeing Bruce in the heart of our defense later. COYB - heres to the true start of our season!

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