Pulis ponders full-back changes as Baggies’ Dawson faces suspension

Safely ensconced in the Premier League top ten and with just three Premier League defeats in their last 11 matches, West Bromwich Albion’s Tony Pulis is looking to make the most of home comforts this week.

The Welshman welcomes Swansea City to the Hawthorns on Wednesday, before Manchester United visit the Black Country on Saturday.

But with defensive lynchpin Craig Dawson set to miss the mid-week game through suspension, Pulis has a dilemma on his hands over who replaces him at right-back.

The defender has started each of the last 53 Baggies Premier League games, but Pulis is convinced he has adequate cover to replace the 26-year-old.

“We’ll miss Daws because he has played exceptionally well for us,” said the manager.

“However, we’ve got to get on with it and we are lucky enough to have options there. I’m chewing it over.

“Obviously we have [Allan] Nyom who can switch, we could slot Brunty [Chris Brunt] in, you could play Jonny Evans there, and we could bring Brendan Galloway in.”

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

And Pulis is not concerned by the fixture schedule, which sees his men play three games in eight days.

“We’ll look at it as we go along,” he added.

“I don’t think that players can’t play three games in a week or three games in six days.

“As long as the preparations after the games, as much as anything else, is done properly.”