Gus Poyet is planning for the start of the season without a new striker But he is confident Craig Mackail-Smith will be fit for the beginning of the competitive season.

Poyet gets another chance to give members of his first-team squad significant playing time as they visit Crawley for a friendly tonight.

The Albion boss says left-backs Wayne Bridge and Marcos Painter both have “a chance” of featuring at the Broadfield Stadium after injury.

Mackail-Smith was expected to appear against Chelsea last Saturday but Poyet has reported a recurrence of a groin injury.

He said: “I think Macca feels better. He will be fit for the start of the season.

“There are dates when he is supposed to be coming back and involved with us.

“Then if he is going to be involved with us or not is my decision.”

Poyet last night said he was getting no closer to signing a new frontman but has options for the start of league and cup action.

Albion go to Swindon in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and visit Hull in the Championship a week tomorrow. Poyet added: “Vicente is an option (in attack), Ashley Barnes is an option, Macca is an option if he is fit, Toby (Agdestein) is an option.”

Albion will check Bridge today but would love to add to the 60 minutes of playing time, against Cordoba, he has so far enjoyed in their colours.

His injury was initially described as a tight groin but Poyet has since he revealed he had problems with a different muscle which restricted his movement.

He said: “There is an action in football that he cannot do completely freely.

“I’m not saying what it is. I’m not giving other teams that information.

“During the time he can’t do it he is not going to play. If he can do it today, he will play.”

Ryan Harley has a groin injury.

Poyet said of the Crawley fixture: “It’s a friendly. If someone needs 90 minutes, they will have 90 minutes.” Albion’s derby at home to Crystal Palace has been switched to Sunday, March 17 (midday) on police advice.