Albion's wide men can expect more squad appearances in the Championship next season after a rule change.

Football League chairmen voted last month to return to seven substitutes following the controversial cut to five last season.

The U-turn is especially significant for wingers Will Buckley, Kazenga LuaLua and Craig Noone.

One of them was often ditched from the matchday squad by boss Gus Poyet last season to cater for the squad cut.

The Uruguayan has confirmed their prospects of being involved in the squad on a more regular basis have now improved dramatically. Poyet told The Argus: “It is going to be easier for them. It changes things completely.

“It was difficult, no doubt, last season, especially if we only played with one. It was a massive problem, having the other two in a five-man bench.

“Before it was very important to have a player on the bench like Romain Vincelot, who can play in four or five positions.

“Now you can pick a proper defender, a midfielder who can play full-back, a winger or two and one or two strikers, which is great.”

Poyet fumed when the number of substitutes was reduced as a cost-cutting measure. He is relieved common sense has now prevailed.

He said: “I’m pleased because I have watched Uruguay in World Cup qualification and they have 12 or 13 players sitting on the bench.

“If you have many options to go and try to win a game that is better for the manager and better for football.

“I don’t want 12 but seven is normal, a good number. They made a mistake but they have rectified it, which is the key.”