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West Brom v Liverpool

2012-08-17 04:05:06

West Brom manager Steve Clarke has a number of injury concerns ahead of his side’s Premier League opener against Liverpool on Saturday

Olsson: Nursing slight knock

Scotland midfielder James Morrison and Sweden defender Jonas Olsson both returned from international duty in midweek nursing slight knocks and will be assessed before the weekend kick-off.

New signing Markus Rosenberg is still short of match fitness and remains doubtful, while midfielder Graham Dorrans misses out due to compassionate leave.

However, striker Shane Long should be included in the matchday squad, despite sitting out of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly with Serbia on Wednesday.

Yassine El Ghanassy, Ben Foster, Romelu Lukaku and Claudio Yacob all arrived at Albion during the off-season and the quartet will be hoping for make their league bows against the Merseysiders.

Reds midfielder Joe Cole is available for the trip to the Hawthorns, having shaken off the hamstring injury he picked up in the Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel in Belarus.

New signings Fabio Borini and Joe Allen are in line to make their top-flight debuts for Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Rodgers will be desperate to get off to a good start after the club’s disappointing eighth place in the league last season, their worst finish in 18 years.

Striker Andy Carroll will be eager to impress following the off-season departures of strike duo Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy.