Midfielder Alan Quinn and defender Tommy Smith could be in line for starts when the Blues travel to West Brom for Saturday’s live Sky game (KO 5.20pm). The duo were given an hour in Wednesday’s reserve game against Peterborough and look to be in manager Roy Keane’s plans as Town go looking for their first Championship win of the season.
Quinn could come into the centre of midfield area in which Colin Healy and Liam Trotter failed to impress against Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The former Sheffield United man could be joined by Owen Garvan, who is yet to make a start this season.
Keane will have to decide whether he plays the 4-3-3 formation used in the opening few games or continue with the 4-4-2 utilised against the Eagles in midweek. If he sticks with a three, Liam Trotter may keep his place with Jaime Peters still ruled out with the ankle injury he sustained against Leicester, while Ed Upson could be on the bench after again doing well in the reserves.
Lee Martin and Jon Walters are likely to continue in the wide roles regardless of formation, despite neither overly impressing so far this season.
Smith could come in at the back, probably at centre-half for Pim Balkestein alongside Gareth McAuley, although the former England U17 international was previously used at left-back by Roy Keane in last season's final game against Coventry and the 19-year-old may replace Damien Delaney.
Keane will also have to choose between David Wright and Alex Bruce at right-back with the Irish international also in with a chance of a central defensive role.
Ben Thatcher could play for the reserves next week, although is still a fair way of a return to the first team after last season's knee ligament injury. Luciano Civelli isn't due back until early 2010 and David Norris until Christmas, also due to knee ligament injuries.
Up front, Keane says it's too soon for Pablo Counago to return to the first team despite clearly impressing his manager in the reserves game earlier in the week. The Spaniard could be back in contention for a return to the senior side next week.
Jon Stead may get a recall having looked more dangerous from the bench in midweek, probably alongside Tamas Priskin with Connor Wickham seeming unlikely to be given two starts in a week, particularly as the 16-year-old will probably play from the off at Peterborough in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
Keane says he's hopeful that his side can make progress in the weeks to come and says that facing West Brom will be a significant test: "The way they've started they look like they're going to have a great chance of being promoted.
"It's another challenge, it's a good game for us and we're looking forward to it. Despite the sluggish start we've had, I'm sure in the next few weeks there'll be a big improvement.
"There have been parts of the game where we've been not bad, but it's been too brief. We've certainly got to stop giving away the type of goals we've been giving away and we need some of the senior players to step up to the plate and show leadership skills."
West Brom have lost skipper Jonathan Greening, who has joined Fulham on loan for the season, while midfielder Borja Valero is set to move to Real Santander. Keeper Scott Carson replaces Greening as the Baggies' captain.
Graeme Dorrans misses out after being red-carded in the 3-2 win at Peterborough in midweek, while defender Gianni Zuiverloon is out for a fortnight with a hamstring strain, striker Ishmael Miller has a long-time knee problem, midfielder James Morrison a heel injury and defender Neil Clement a knee problem.
Striker Roman Bednar is back from his drugs ban but is unlikely to be involved due to his lack of fitness after his spell out.
New manager Roberto Di Matteo says he is looking forward to facing Roy Keane again after enjoying their confrontations during his time as a Chelsea player: "We had a few battles during our careers and I always enjoyed them because there were always good clashes against Manchester United and against Roy Keane in particular.
"I think we will both be happy to have a glass of wine now after the games rather than clashing on the field.
"We were always fair. It was hard and tough but fair. He was a good player and a strong personality who was well-respected in his team.
"He probably has a bit more experience than me and has been in the job a bit longer. He's got a bit more hair than me as well so I don't see too many comparisons.
"I think at the end of the season Ipswich will be up there and so will Nottingham Forest."
Town have had much the better of the Baggies over the years, winning 32 games between the sides (30 in the league), drawing 15 (13) and losing 20 (19).
The teams last met at Portman Road on New Year's Day 2008 when goals from David Wright and Jason De Vos gave the Blues a 2-0 victory.
Earlier in the season, the Blues had lost 4-0 at the Hawthorns with three of the goals coming in the final three minutes of the match. Ishmael Miller, Filipe Teixeira and Kevin Phillips (2) netted for the side then managed by Tony Mowbray.
No member of the current West Brom squad has played a first team game for the Blues, although keeper Dean Kiely spent time on loan at Portman Road in 1989 without making an appearance. None of the Town squad have played for the Baggies.
Saturday's referee is Premier League official Steve Tanner from Somerset, who showed 109 yellow and 10 red cards in 32 games last season. In his one match this term, Barnsley against Coventry last Saturday, he showed three yellows and one red.
Tanner's last Town game was the 3-2 defeat at Preston when the Lilywhites were awarded a very questionable penalty, although that was more down to the linesman than the referee.
Likely squad: R Wright, Lee-Barrett, Bruce, Wright, Delaney, McAuley, Smith, Balkestein, Garvan, Quinn, Trotter, Healy, Upson, Colback, Walters, Martin, Stead, Priskin, Wickham.