2 weeks Ago
Reluctant defender Carlos Baleba has been told it is good to be flexible. The Cameron midfielder could play in the centre of defence at home to West Ham today. Jan Paul van Hecke has been ruled out as he follows concussion protocols following his clash of heads at Brentford last Saturday.
Baleba has made it clear he remains a midfielder at heart. But he did well at the back against Leicester City recently and appeared to enjoy playing his passes from a deeper position. Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “If we decide to play Carlos at centre-back then I am sure he will do it great.
“He did great against Leicester. “He meets all the demands to play there. “I know he prefers to play in midfield but to have this flexibility, to have players who can play several positions is always an advantage in the squad.
” Joe Veltman and Tariq Lamptey are among Hurzeler’s right-back options after injury. Kaoru Mitoma is fit to start on the left wing while Joao Pedro starts a three-game ban. Van Hecke misses his second successive home game but should be back to face Newcastle next Sunday.
Hurzeler said: “I think everyone saw the foul so it was a tough one. We have to be careful with him. “We can’t risk playing him this weekend but I am sure we follow all the protocols and then he will be back next week.
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