West Brom v Leicester: Lewis Cox's predicted line-up as attacking changes considered

Boss Ryan Mason made a slightly surprising change in the north east as the inclusion of Ousmane Diakite into midfield, in place of winger Mikey Johnston, was a bid to give Albion a more solid and ultimately defensive feel.

There was not much in the game as the hosts ran out 2-1 winners at the Riverside, but a sloppy opening goal in the first half meant the change did not work in Albion's favour.

The visit of Leicester, now under Marti Cifuentes who was linked with the vacant Albion post in the summer, poses a different challenge as The Hawthorns home crowd expect to see their side try to take the initiative.

It has been a mixed start to the campaign for the Foxes who are fourth after six games but head into this clash off the back of two draws.

Baggies boss Mason must decide if and how he looks to tweak his side for the clash against Cifuentes' men.

He is likely to reward Mikey Johnston for his impact from the bench at Boro. Having been left out, he was Albion's best player and biggest threat and set up Aune Heggebo's late goal. His inclusion feels almost certain with the likelihood of Albion reverting to the formation for much of the season, a 4-2-3-1 shape.

A big question is whether Sammy Iling-Junior is handed an opportunity on the other flank. Jed Wallace did OK against Boro but the Baggies' side seemed to lack pace in general. Villa loanee Iling-Junior is a natural call to aid that. But having signed around the transfer deadline he has so far played about 15 minutes of football.

One more change expected if not on Friday night then sometime soon is an opportunity for new right-back recruit Alfie Gilchrist. George Campbell has done well overall so far playing out of position. He is a centre-back by trade and the hope is that Gilchrist may offer some more balance or attacking confidence on the right.

Manchester United loan midfielder Toby Collyer did pretty well from the bench at Boro and is another pushing for a first start.

See Albion correspondent Lewis Cox's predicted line-up below.

4-2-3-1:

Josh Griffiths

Alfie Gilchrist

Nat Phillips

Chris Mepham

Callum Styles

Jayson Molumby

Alex Mowatt

Sammy Iling-Junior

Isaac Price

Mikey Johnston

Aune Heggebo

Subs: Wildsmith, Bielik, Campbell, Taylor, Collyer, Diakite, Wallace, Bostock, Maja.