How should Alan Pardew integrate key West Brom players returning from injury?

Injuries have plagued some of his best creative forces in the first four games of his tenure, but while James Morrison is still sidelined with his Achilles problem, it is hoped Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli will be back in contention this weekend.

Both players have been out for several weeks, so they may not be able to start against Stoke, with time off the bench more likely.

But as Albion enter a crucial Christmas period that sees them play four games in 11 days, Pardew will be pleased to have more options at his disposal to navigate the hectic run.

Only Swansea have scored fewer goals in the top tier this season, and the Baggies have only found the net once in Pardew’s four games.

So how does he get this goal-shy team to threaten more?

It’s fair to say both Chris Brunt and Gareth Barry proved off the bench against Manchester United last weekend why they should be in the team.

Brunt’s dangerous deliveries into the box from dead ball situations and open play have been sorely missed this season.

Barry may have been inconsistent since his arrival from Everton, but when he’s on song, he’s capable of crafting an incisive forward pass yet to be seen by Grzegorz Krychowiak or Jake Livermore.

Pardew is planning to try Chadli both inside, behind the striker, and out left to see which position he prefers him in.

But the Belgian has only played two league games this season so will probably need minutes off the bench to get up to speed.

Which means this weekend it could be Jay Rodriguez behind Salomon Rondon.

Pardew hasn’t started the £12million summer signing in the last two games because he wanted to shore the team up against the might of Liverpool and Manchester United.

But against a vulnerable Stoke side, he will want his team to pose more of a threat.

“I had pencilled in Jay as a No.10 at this club,” said Pardew, recently. “He can play as a No.9 but with Salomon up there I sacrificed Jay for a midfield player.

“He understood that. All I know is that he will get his chance sooner rather than later. I’m hoping he will be a big player in the second half of the season.

“He is a player who has got great professionalism about him. He’s somebody I’ve always admired as a player and one who I have wanted to work with, so I’m glad to have him on board now.”

Phillips and Brunt were Albion’s most productive creative forces last season, so reinstating them to the wings will hopefully bear fruit.

The ever-reliable Craig Dawson is also returning from injury, and could replace Allan Nyom at right-back.

But Chadli needs to convince Pardew and the Albion fans he’s worth keeping after an inconsistent 2017 for the record signing.

But he’s likely to get his chance, because after 17 games without a win, all options will be explored.

Matt Wilson’s starting XI for Stoke (4-2-3-1): Foster; Dawson, Evans, Hegazi, Gibbs; Barry, Yacob; Phillips, Rodriguez, Brunt; Rondon.