Graham Potter wants more help with protecting his playing resources in the pandemic.

The Albion head coach has repeated his preference for an increase to five substitutions in Premier League matches.

He is carefully monitoring his squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Chelsea.

Potter withdrew goalscorer Leandro Trossard midway through the Boxing Day win over Brentford due to hamstring tightness.

Yves Bissouma will be available after a ban as Albion tackle the second of three games in a week.

With Covid still casting a shadow over Prem action, Potter would like the option of making more changes in a game, as was the case during the Restart fixtures.

He said: “Our position was always five subs. That was what we voted for.

“I was a little surprised that Jordan Henderson is talking about player welfare and even the clubs don’t think about player welfare so what chance have you got?

“Our stance was always that and then it is up to the league to decide.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been clear in his views on subs but believes he does not have support from most of his Prem counterparts.

Klopp said: "You need 14 votes to change it and there’s something wrong. We talk about an issue that some players and clubs definitely have but it’s decided by other teams. That is a real problem.

“The best and most intense league in the world is the only league in Europe and maybe the world with still three subs. That is not right. We should change it (but) I don’t see a chance to change it, to be honest.”

The Premier League yesterday announced 103 new coronavirus cases among club players and staff, the highest weekly number recorded since testing figures began being circulated in May last year.

The league has also confirmed it has reverted to emergency measures following a series of postponements.

Increased testing to daily lateral flow and twice-weekly PCR tests have been introduced. Lateral flow testing was previously carried out twice a week.

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Danny Welbeck, who had hamstring surgery and was out for three months, is in contention for playing time at Stamford Bridge after half a game against Brentford.

Potter added: “We were planning not to play Danny for so long but in the end he managed the 45 and it’s great to have him back on the pitch.”