West Brom v Burnley: Popular midfielder set for return after reaction boss sought

Head coach Morrison last week revealed long-serving midfielder Molumby, 27, was “probably upset” about being left out of the starting line-up for the Championship curtain-raiser at Norwich, with debutant Felix Horn Myhre and youngster Harry Whitwell among those preferred.

But Republic of Ireland international Molumby emerged from the bench to play an influential role in the late 2-1 win at Carrow Road.

Albion kickstart their home campaign against relegated Burnley at The Hawthorns and the Baggies boss suggested his move to challenge Molumby and push for a reaction. Change is guaranteed on Sunday with striker Aune Heggebo controversially banned for his Norwich handball.

“(It was) Exactly what I wanted,” Morrison smiled this week.

“What did he do on the pitch? He showed me why.

“There might have been a reason behind it, a reaction. I want competition, I want challenges.

“I want them to prove to me that they deserve to play.

“It's good, really good.”

Morrison’s midfield has undergone a refresh this summer, with work to continue into the final of the window with the pursuit of Manchester United’s Toby Collyer, who spent the first half of last season at The Hawthorns.

Albion lost club captain Alex Mowatt to league rivals Derby on the eve of last weekend’s kick-off. The Baggies had already moved for the signatures of Horn Myhre and Rabby Nzingoula.

The latter made a positive impact from the bench on his debut in Norfolk alongside Molumby.

Molumby, Horn Myhre, Nzingoula and Ousmane Diakite will all jostle for the two central midfield spots in Morrison’s desired formation, with Collyer a likely addition to those options.

Albion are also well-stocked in central defence, where new captain George Campbell and Nat Phillips have been selected as first-choice to start the campaign.

Both were influential in repelling the Canaries with several blocks and will face a stern challenge against Burnley, now under new boss Nicky Hayen, the 46-year-old Belgian appointed to succeed Scott Parker.

Burnley opened up with a 2-2 draw against fellow relegated side West Ham. The Clarets fought back to equalise late but Hayen’s men were the better team.

Campbell and Phillips are ahead of experienced duo Chris Mepham and Krystian Bielik, both 28, who arrived at The Hawthorns last summer with big profiles and experience on their CV.

Asked how he keeps a squad happy with players kicking their heels, Morrison replied: “I think it's a very good headache to have really.

“I love all four, I really do. What they bring to the team, the training ground, the performances, I'm really happy with them and I do really love them.

“That's the culture that I'm trying to set and the standards in training day-to-day because it reflects on a Saturday (matchday), it really does.”

The head coach added: “If you see how many games there are in the Championship, normally game one is not the same team as the end of the season.

“We will pick up injuries, that's just the nature of it. The lads who are not playing now, they've just got to be ready. We've got to make sure that they're ready when they're called upon.”

Albion are assessing some knocks from last weekend’s win at Norwich for the Burnley clash.