Albion's marathon man Pascal Gross can cope with an extra workload.

But manager Chris Hughton admits he will need to use the squad for 11 matches in 43 days, launched by tomorrow’s visit of Stoke.

Influential German No.10 Gross is one of the most energetic players in the Premier League, according to figures.

Hughton believes the scorer and provider of many of Albion’s goals and the other overseas summer signings can adapt to the sudden doubling of the schedule after the opening 11 games spanned 12 weeks.

“My gut feeling is they will cope with it,” Hughton said. “Every player, where ever you play, will have gone through periods of playing a lot of games in a short time. You don’t know, you can make an assessment.

“It is also a different division. In a division where you are strong, you might get through games where you don’t play particularly well and still get that win or draw.

“Here is different. We will need the squad and as many players as possible fit.”

Players on the fringes of the are short of game time but Hughton has been trying to keep them up to speed.

He said: "We've had a few under-21 games and the Checkatrade game over the last few weeks.

“We have tried to play as many as possible in those games and we are trying to make sure the training loads of those not playing are high enough to keep them at good levels.

“But there is no substitution for games. I am sure over this period of time there will be changes.”