2:43pm Saturday 31st July 2010
By Brian Owen
Albion have decided aginst risking Adam El-Abd in today's friendly against Aberdeen.
The defender needed stitches to a small cut above the eye after an accidental clash with Steve Cook in training.
He was keen to play but boss Gus Poyet has left him out against Mark McGhee's men fearing the cut could re-open.
Albion need El-Abd for the league opener at Swindon next week in the absence of banned Gordon Greer, who skippers the side today.
Glenn Murray, also suspended next week, is among the subs but there is a start for young wideman Jamie Smith in what looks like being a 4-3-3 formation.
Aberdeen, still two weeks away from their Scottish Premier League opener, are also likely to go 4-3-3 with new signing Paul Hartley leading them from midfield.
Albion: Poke; Calderon, Elphick, Greer, Painter; Navarro, Kishishev, Sparrow; Smith, Barnes, Bennett. Subs: Walker, Whing, Battipiedi, Baz, Murray, Dicker, Holroyd.
Aberdeen: Howard; McArdle, Ifil, Diamond, Basey; Folly, Hartley, Young; Maguire, Mackie, Vernon. Subs: Bain, Collins, Magennis, Foster, Considine, Fyvie, Jack, Pawlett, Paton.
Ref: Dave Phillips
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