And welcome along to James Nursey, our man in the midlands:
"Hi from the The Hawthorns where England hero Rickie Lambert starts for the Saints in attack after his heroics versus Scotland.
"Southampton also give a debut to new big-money signing Victor Wanyama from Celtic.
"Several Scottish journalists I know have been raving about the powerhouse central midfielder so I am looking forward to seeing him play.
"While new defender Dejan Lovren starts at centre-back for the South Coast club.
"Baggies boss Steve Clarke meanwhile has handed a debut to new Bosman signing Nicolas Anelka.
"Clarke was saying in the build-up how he plans to deploy Anelka is a deeper "play-maker" role behind lead striker Shane Long.
"Clarke wants a lot of Albion's play to go through Anelka so he should be heavily involved today.
"Matej Vydra is on the bench following his loan move.
"Albion finished the season in disappointing fashion last season after a slump in form.
"Clarke has since only brought two free transfers and a loan.
"A poor start today and the pressure will increase on financially-cautious owner Jeremy Peace to open his cheque-book.
"Albion(4-4-1-1): Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson (c), Ridgewell, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Morrison, Yacob; Anelka; Long.
"Likely Southampton formation (4-2-3-1): Boruc, Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Lallana (c), Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez; Lambert."
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