New manager Glenn Roeder has been dealt a cruel blow by the
loss of major summer signing David James through injury on the eve
of the Premiership kick-off.
The £3.5million goalkeeper suffered a serious knee ligament injury playing for England against Holland on Wednesday night and is expected to be ruled out for at least the majority of the season.
His place goes to Shaka Hislop, while Fredi Kanoute is not yet fully recovered from his hamstring injury in time.
Joe Cole is expected to take his place on the left of midfield, while Trevor Sinclair makes a welcome return to Premiership football after six months on the sidelines.
Click here for the Opta Preview on Saturday's game