Adam Lallana is set for a first start under his new boss tonight.

But Roberto De Zerbi has hinted further changes might be kept to a minimum as Albion take on Nottingham Forest at the Amex (7.30pm).

Lallana has looked sharp coming off the bench since recovering from injury and the boss feels he can help unlock defences, even if he does not last the 90 minutes.

Perhaps significantly, he compared Lallana’s attributes to those of Pascal Gross when asked the ex-Liverpool man offers.

De Zerbi said: “Lallana is a very important player for us.

“He is good to start the game and after the first half we will see his condition and think about the second half.

“But Lallana is a starter.

“He has different qualities to every other player.

“Between the lines, he is maybe the best player.

“He is different to Gross. Gross is better when you have to attack the space, for example.

“Lallana in terms of last pass, finding space between the lines and finding the combination with Welbeck and Trossard is one of the best players in our squad.”

De Zerbi was finalising his formation and tactics yesterday but suggested he was not tempted to make sweeping changes after performances he felt deserved more.

He said: “Every week the coach has to decide some important things.

“The first XI is important.

“When you decide something, you don’t know if it is right or wrong.

“But the coach has to decide before.

“There are important decisions but, when the team play well, it’s not right to change more.”