What is James Morrison looking for from first West Brom pre-season friendly?

The Baggies could face returning Owls legend Barry Bannan and former Hawthorns junior Louie Barry, who sealed moves to Hillsborough in the last two days.

The warm-up fixture is behind-closed-doors with no access permitted to supporters or media as James Morrison’s men lock horns with Henrik Pedersen’s side, who beat them on the final day of last season. Albion jet off for their Algarve training camp after the friendly.

Here is a flavour of what Morrison will hope to gain from the first run out.

New boys

It should be a first opportunity for attacking pair Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan to pull on blue and white stripes.

There is no shortage of intrigue around the forward duo bought in from Falkirk and Chelsea earlier this summer. As it stands Morrison’s forward ranks at senior level consist of just the duo and Aune Heggebo - the likelihood is there will be expectation on the pair to deliver this season. The Baggies, though, will look to add more in that department.

Goalkeeper recruit Matt Ingram could play a part, as could teenage defensive addition Carter Pinnington.

If Stewart and Morgan can hit the goal trail early into the pre-season campaign - with four friendlies to come in all - it will boost their settling in period.

Formation tester

We carried comments from former Baggies midfielder Andy Johnson, also club commentator, who argued it was not a given Morrison would line up his side in the 4-4-2 formation that worked so successfully in the spring.

With the clash behind-closed-doors, there may be little opportunity to glean detail down to formation and shape, but the head coach will hope to see some of the early pre-season tactical work delivered by himself, Matt Gill, Gavin Strachan and Tony McMahon.

More will come to light for press and supporters at next week’s friendly in Portugal, where the Baggies face off against League One new-boys Bromley at the Estadio da Nora in Albufeira.

Youth flourish

Is it always the best time and opportunity for the club’s most promising youngsters to catch the eye of the coaching staff.

There is a broad selection of youth teamers and graduates from the Baggies’ under-21s looking to make the most of regular training sessions and glimpses in friendlies.

Winger Ollie Bostock is on an extended break due to his recent Wales youth international exploits, but other more regular youngsters like midfielders Cole Deeming and Harry Whitwell and full-back Alex Williams will be ready to impress.

Other youngsters to watch out for over the coming weeks include Scottish striker Eseosa Sule, 20, attacking midfielder Souleyman Mandey, 20, and defenders Jamal Mohammed, 20, and Noah DuPont, 18. Dauda Iddrisa, 18, could be another.

New recruit Pinnington, 19, is likely to be in and around the action. Other Baggies starlets slightly further back in their development seen with a chance at making an impact are full-back Alfie Maughan, 18, and Remar McNeil, 17.

Youth goalkeeper prospects Joe Wallis and Ben Cisse are also regularly around senior training.

Injury-free

An obvious addition that goes for every club across the land in any pre-season programme.

Albion’s recruitment remains in its relatively early stages and any setbacks, however significant, at this stage would come as a major blow, particularly as new boss Morrison lays foundations.

The Baggies lost Tammer Bany to a serious injury last pre-season. While forgotten man Bany has never been fit enough to be a regular, it shows how such setbacks can be damaging.

Speaking of injuries, it will be interesting to see how much winger Mikey Johnston features, if at all. Morrison told the Express & Star Johnston would be ready to go for pre-season after a broken ankle wrecked the end of his season. His return to action would be a welcome sight.