Your chance to shine, West Brom's fringe players told ahead of FA Cup replay

Feb 3 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

ALBION No.2 Mark Venus has called upon the clubs fringe players to prove their worth in tonights FA Cup replay against Burnley.

Venus claims manager Tony Mowbray will be forced into changes for the trip to Lancashire.

Borja Valero (hamstring) and Robert Koren (calf) are both expected to miss the game, with fringe players likely to be drafted into action if the game beats the big freeze.

Venus said: We have a lot of confidence in the players and the squad.

They have to play or whats the point in having them here?

If they get a chance Im sure theyll do fine.

Other players have come into the team and done fine Im sure those who come in will do fine as well.

You have to keep Saturday (home game against Newcastle) in mind, but the bottom line is we need to pick a team to win tonight.

I think everybody knows the long-term injuries weve got.

There are a few carrying stiffness and tightness after the game. Where they stand we dont know yet.

We will have to assess them. Borja had tight hamstrings but I dont think they are game- threatening.

Weve picked up a few hamstrings and its disappointing.

Burnley are confident the fixture will be given the green light subject to the amount of overnight snowfall.

Turf Moor has undersoil heating, with snow clearing and gritting continuously taking place both inside and outside the stadium.

A final decision was due to be made around lunchtime.

The winners of tonights game will take on Arsenal or Cardiff in the fifth round.

But that game will need to be rescheduled as the rearranged fourth-round Emirates replay, which was due to take place tonight but has been called off, is due to be played on the weekend reserved for the last 16 fixtures.

Venus added: Its the next round of the FA Cup. Cardiff might beat them. You never know.

Barnsley went to Liverpool and won, so it may not necessarily be Arsenal. Well do our best to get through.