Albion have handed recent signing Andrea Orlandi a first start for the club.

The former Swansea winger comes in for Ashley Barnes at Watford this evening.

It is the only change from the side which started against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday and means Barnes, scorer of the winner here in the FA Cup two seasons ago, is on the bench.

Joining him among the subs is midfielder Ryan Harley at the expense of winger Kazenga LuaLua.

Boyhood Watford fan Craig Mackail-Smith has recovered from a tight thigh which forced him out of the 3-0 win over Wednesday.

Andrew Crofts , Vicente and former Watford striker Will Hoskins are all on the injured list.

A win can take Albion top although they would need helpful results from Blackburn and Blackpool, where Barnsley and Middlesbrough are the visitors respectively.

Watford have lost their last three games but went down battling in their 2-1 reverse at Bolton on Saturday.

Watford: Almunia; Cassetti, Nosworthy, Neuton, Pudil; Hogg, Abdi, Yeates; Forestieri, Iwelumo, Vydra. Subs: Bond, Doyley, Chalobah, Smith, Hoban, Beleck, Forsyth.

Albion: Kuszczak; Bruno, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Bridcutt; Hammond, Dicker; Buckley, Orlandi, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Ankergren, Calderon, Dunk, David Lopez, Harley, Barnes, Dobbie.

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincs)