[h=3]Obika on bench as Albion make sweeping changes[/h]2:13pm Saturday 11th January 2014 in Albion By Brian Owen
Former Birmingham defender Matt Upson returns today
New boy Jonathan Obika is on the bench and Liam Bridcutt not involved for Albion today.
But there are changes elsewhere in the starting XI as the Seagulls take on Birmingham City at The Amex.
Tomasz Kuszczak, Matt Upson, Stephen Ward, David Lopez, Kazenga LuaLua and Leo Ulloa all return to the side.
Bruno, recovered from a thigh muscle problem suffered at Charlton on New Year’s Day, gets the nod over Inigo Calderon at right-back.
Adam El-Abd is the unlucky central defender to miss out as Upson returns.
Gordon Greer keeps his place after coming through 66 minutes last week in the FA Cup against Reading for which Oscar Garcia made several strategic changes.
Obika, signed for three months from Spurs in midweek, is joined on the bench by, among others, young winger Solly March, who shone in the Cup last week.
Bridcutt has been suffering with a groin problem.
Will Buckley is still ruled out by a hamstring problem and striker Ashley Barnes left the club yesterday, completing his move to Burnley.
Barnes scored the equaliser when these teams drew 1-1 here two seasons ago.
Albion are looking to improve a record of just four home wins, the lowest tally in the top half of the division.
Albion: Kuszczak; Bruno, Greer, Upson, Ward; Ince, Andrews, Crofts; David, LuaLua, Ulloa. Subs: Brezovan, Calderon, El-Abd, Obika, March, Orlandi, Agustien.
Original article
New boy Jonathan Obika is on the bench and Liam Bridcutt not involved for Albion today.
But there are changes elsewhere in the starting XI as the Seagulls take on Birmingham City at The Amex.
Tomasz Kuszczak, Matt Upson, Stephen Ward, David Lopez, Kazenga LuaLua and Leo Ulloa all return to the side.
Bruno, recovered from a thigh muscle problem suffered at Charlton on New Year’s Day, gets the nod over Inigo Calderon at right-back.
Adam El-Abd is the unlucky central defender to miss out as Upson returns.
Gordon Greer keeps his place after coming through 66 minutes last week in the FA Cup against Reading for which Oscar Garcia made several strategic changes.
Obika, signed for three months from Spurs in midweek, is joined on the bench by, among others, young winger Solly March, who shone in the Cup last week.
Bridcutt has been suffering with a groin problem.
Will Buckley is still ruled out by a hamstring problem and striker Ashley Barnes left the club yesterday, completing his move to Burnley.
Barnes scored the equaliser when these teams drew 1-1 here two seasons ago.
Albion are looking to improve a record of just four home wins, the lowest tally in the top half of the division.
Albion: Kuszczak; Bruno, Greer, Upson, Ward; Ince, Andrews, Crofts; David, LuaLua, Ulloa. Subs: Brezovan, Calderon, El-Abd, Obika, March, Orlandi, Agustien.
Original article