West Brom's summer signing Paul Scharner is set to be given a reserve team run-out by Roberto Di Matteo.
Scharner set for reserve team action against Bolton
West Brom's summer signing Paul Scharner is set to be given a reserve team run-out by manager Roberto Di Matteo.
The Austria international will be given some valuable game time ahead of the senior squad's Premier League trip to Tottenham on Saturday.
The 30-year-old admitted he trained on his own after leaving Wigan at the end of last season and now Scharner is expected to start for the Baggies as they host Bolton behind-closed-doors at Albion's training ground on Tuesday.
The Hawthorns boss says he intends to field a number of senior players in the second-string game as he looks to get his side in shape for the encounter at White Hart Lane.
"Paul's physically in good shape and we'll have to see how his match fitness is," said Di Matteo.
"Tomorrow we have a reserve game so there is going to be quite a few players involved in that, and Paul as well, to give him some minutes."
Preferred position
One of the main reasons Scharner chose a move to the West Midlands club was the fact that Di Matteo intimated he would play in his preferred position.
And the manager had reiterated his view that Scharner's future in the team will be as a midfielder.
"Nobody is guaranteed a place but I said to him I was recruiting him as a midfield player," he added.
"We know that he can play as a centre-half as well but primarily he has been signed as a midfield player.
"It was hard work to get him.
"He has been a free agent since the end of last season and has had lots of interest from other clubs.
"Eventually we managed to attract him."
