ALBION manager Chris Hughton has hailed the strength in depth which allowed him to leave out Anthony Knockaert.

The French winger was relegated to the bench for the trip to Newcastle after starting every match beforehand in the Premier League.

Replacement Jose Izquierdo, injured in the World Cup with Colombia, provided the assist for Beram Kayal's winner on his first start of the season.

Hughton told The Argus: "Anthony overall has done well for us this season. But we have at the moment Solly (March) playing at ten, who is really a wide player, Anthony, Ali (Jahanbakhsh) and Jose, four wide players and good competition.

"I left Anthony out not because of performances but because I can, I can use that competition that we've got."

Dale Stephens returned from hamstring trouble at St James' Park but Albion were without his regular midfield partner Davy Propper and fellow ankle injury victim Pascal Gross.

The German No. 10 is back in training but was not ready to return.

Hughton said: "At the moment Pascal is still a little bit of a blow. He's not far away but it's those final bits we've got to be sure of.

"We know what Pascal can give us. But to have two players out - fortunately for us Dale is back at the right time with Davy Out - if you said you would have two players out at any time for the rest of the season, you would generally settle for that."

Top scorer Glenn Murray, knocked unconscious in an early clash of heads with Newcastle defender Federico Fernandez, will miss the visit of Wolves to the Amex on Saturday.

Murray, who needs one more goal to reach a century and become the club's record post-War scorer, stayed in his native north-east by prior arrangement after hospital checks gave him the all-clear.

Hughton said: "He will be very, very sore for the next few days. We will be guided on what we can do and what we can't do."

Skipper Bruno is an early doubt after a back injury forced him off in the second half.