Joel Veltman could be just the sort of player Albion need in the busy weeks which await.

To paraphrase the Prime Minister, ‘tis the season to be jolly flexible in terms of picking line-ups and formations.

Seven games await between this Monday and January 2.

The full intensity of this period does not really kick in until later in December.

But rest assured Graham Potter will be looking at all options over the coming weeks.

He hinted after the 1-1 draw with Liverpool that Veltman is the sort of player who can be multi-purpose.

Tariq Lamptey is widely expected to return to the side on Monday when Southampton visit.

Veltman stood in down the right against the champions, just as he did in a more central area while Lewis Dunk served a three-match ban.

He also played on the right as Tariq Lamptey left the action after 45 minutes at Everton.

But there are several positions in which he could crop up – or facilitate changes for others.

Potter said Veltman was “really good” against Liverpool.

He added: “I agree he’s not Tariq in terms of the blistering pace and I think he’d be the first to agree with that, but he brings something different.

“His build-up is really good. He uses his body well defensively, so even though players might appear to be faster, they don’t get the other side of him because he reads the game well, is so intelligent.

“And he’s a really good footballer.

“We’re so happy with him. He just brings something different.

“He can play as a wing-back, he can play in the back three, he can probably play in midfield as well just because of his intelligence.”

Whether that allows him to find a niche for an extended period remains to be seen.

If he can indeed operate in midfield, that means his range of roles is very similar to that of Ben White.

BBC Sussex analyst Warren Aspinall believes Veltman could return to that right-sided berth in the back three on Monday.

That would free up White to take a midfield role alongside Yves Bissouma, where he enjoyed some success of late.

In turn, Pascal Gross would be freed up for a creative role higher up the field.

All this is working on a basis of Neal Maupay and/or Adam Lallana being ruled out, which has not been confirmed as yet despite their early exits against Liverpool.

One thing which is clear is there will be chances for players in the coming weeks.

It is probably fair to suggest there will be some players who will need to sit out a game or two as they come thick and fast.

Albion have resources. Steven Alzate and Jayson Molumby had timely 90-minute outings for the under-23s in their 1-0 win at Southampton on Monday.

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Potter used 19 players in December last year, all of whom started games apart from Glenn Murray.

Ten different players went on as sub.

Only Maty Ryan, Aaron Mooy and Dan Burn started all seven games, taking into account December plus January 1.

Potter used 17 of his potential 21 substitutions in those games.

So far this term, they have got through 21 players in the Premier League.

Four of them have been subs only and have not started a match in Alexis Mac Allister, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Bernardo and Molumby.

Bernardo, Molumby and Robert Sanchez have each only appeared in one match.

There are plenty who might have played more.

Veltman’s compatriot Davy Propper has yet to get a Prem minute this term and one wonders about his future at Albion.

Maybe this will be chance to put himself back in the thick of it.

What Potter will know is Veltman can play a part in any changes he wants to, or has to, make as the pace steps up ahead of Christmas.

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