Jimmy McNulty has been earmarked for a new role with Albion, as a left-sided midfielder.

Boss Gus Poyet is considering using the adventurous left-back in a more advanced position as he plots the downfall of his old club Swindon at the County Ground on Saturday.

McNulty made an immediate impact from the left-side of midfield in Albion’s last away game at Exeter.

Brought on for the closing stages, he supplied the cross for Andrew Crofts to head a last-gasp winner.

Poyet said: “We have got an option to play him there. We have been playing a bit differently, unbalanced if you like, to be stronger in central areas, but that would be a very easy option as well.

“Apart from Kevin McLeod, who has not been involved lately, there are not many options on the left.

“He (McNulty) is pushing for a place in the team and I like that, I like those complications.”

McNulty has been restricted to one full appearance in the last nine months after losing a kidney and suffering a persistent ankle injury.

Playing him further forward would allow Poyet to retain Adam El-Abd at left-back, although the Uruguayan has no concerns about McNulty’s defensive capabilities after he replaced the injured El-Abd in the early stages of last Friday’s home defeat by Colchester.

“He defended well, even though we didn’t have much defending to do after the first 15 minutes,” Poyet said.

“I am looking forward to him playing for 90 minutes. That is something we will decide together. It won’t be only my decision, I want the player to feel right as well.

“He has got a very good reputation with the players and the fans. Everybody knows what he can do and you can see after five minutes training with him how comfortable he is on the ball.

“We are convinced he can defend as well. When people talk so much about a full-back going forward you always wonder about the defending but I don't think that is a problem.”