ALBION will monitor Wayne Bridge before deciding whether to involve him in tomorrow night's second pre-season friendly at Lewes.

The loan signing from Manchester City was pulled out of his debut at Maidstone on Saturday during the warm-up, because of a tight groin. Bridge discussed the situation with club doctor Helge Riepenhof before the decision was taken to withdraw the former England left-back.

Boss Gus Poyet said: "He wanted to play and we were ready to risk him up to a point but after doing the warm-up there was too much of a risk so we decided not to force it, let him recover and try to play him on Tuesday.

“It was one of those where he just missed out. He tried and the doctor tried. It’s just a very tight groin. It’s not an injury, a pull or anything, it’s really tight because of the work we have been doing.

“It has been one of the worst summers in the last 20 years, so wet it’s scary. The training ground is very wet and we are trying to run in trainers, which puts a lot of strain on your groins. That is the area of the body where we are struggling a bit with the players and need to pay attention to.”

Bridge has been with Albion for a week following his season-long loan move.

Poyet added: “He has settled in very well. He’s a good lad. The group is great, so far so good, so we are looking forward to seeing him on the pitch.”