ALBION boss Chris Hughton will take no chances with Florin Andone and Jurgen Locadia’s fitness for the start of the Premier League season.

Hughton expects to have Glenn Murray (back) available for Saturday’s opening trip to Watford.

Andone and Locadia both sat out Friday night’s 2-1 friendly victory over Nantes at the Amex.

Hughton will not gamble with the Romanian or Dutchman at Vicarage Road, the first of four tough matches in three weeks including a visit from Manchester United and trip to Liverpool.

Hughton told The Argus: “We cannot afford to. If you look at our schedule, we’ve got some big games coming up and you want them all available for the United game, the next one, Fulham and so on.

“I have a role, but our medical department when it comes to players’ fitness and well-being have a bigger role. Sometimes I’m guided by what they say.

“The original problem with Florin was the groin. He has now come through that one and we are just managing him. There’s no doubt he will be fine, we’ve just got to manage him the best way we can and Jurgen’s training.”

Brazilian left-back Bernardo is likely to be the only one of the summer signings in the starting line-up at Watford. David Button, Leon Balogun, Yves Bissouma and Alireza Jahanbakhsh are all expected to be on the bench, and possibly Andone.

Hughton said: “It’s a long and tough season and all the new players we have brought in will play a big part.

“Jose (Izquierdo) was not on show either (against Nantes), so we certainly have players to come back in, but that’s why we’ve brought them in.

“We wanted the most competitive squad we could have.”

One more central defender remains on Hughton’s wish list before the transfer window closes on Thursday.