Tommy Elphick is poised for his full away debut for Albion and Nathan Elder his first start in tomorrow's closing fixture at Cheltenham.

Elphick, Elder and goalkeeper Michel Kuipers were notable absentees from the reserves last night, which suggests all three will be involved at Whaddon Road.

Kuipers, kept out of the side since February by the on-loan Scott Flinders, is vastly experienced at first team level. Elphick, on the other hand, has made only one start and two substitute appearances in the centre of defence while Elder has been restricted to run-outs off the bench since his December switch from Billericay.

Elphick, 19, faced a tall order in last month's home defeat by Doncaster alongside stand-in skipper Joel Lynch and up against Danny Cadamarteri and Paul Heffernan.

He partnered Guy Butters in the closing stages against Oldham last Saturday and is expected to be paired with the veteran tomorrow.

It will be the first time Elphick has played in front of Albion's travelling army since his senior debut as a substitute at Reading in December 2005.

"I have been involved in most games this season, either as a sub or sitting with them a few times, so I know it is fantastic," he said.

"There is always a great turnout, never under six or 700, and it was 1,200 at Northampton. They are brilliant, unbelievable.

"I don't know the side yet and I don't want to jump to conclusions but I am sure who ever plays it will be a fantastic day and we want to go out on a high."

Assistant manager Dean White said: "It's not very often you get an opportunity to give players experience of the first team environment and see how they cope with it when there is not a lot of pressure on the game, although we are certainly going there to try to win.

"Everyone knows we are looking to bring players in and the players that come in have got to stake their claim for a place next year. Everyone is on trial.

"The list of players that have done it at reserve team level but not the first team is massive. It's a big jump, the biggest jump you have to make in your career.

"It is a big test for those lads that come in and the lads that are here. Can they become regulars?

"It's dog eat dog and if we haven't got the players here we have to go and get the players to get us as high as we can in the league."

A tenth away win this season will see Albion finish above Cheltenham in 17th, a sixth straight defeat could condemn them to as low as 20th spot, one above the relegation zone.

Fans making the journey to Gloucestershire have been warned to expect delays at the A40 junction with the B4385.