Martin Jol has set himself the big challenge of having to find his best starting line-up and formation just a few months after finishing in fifth place in the Premiership, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.
Just five names are probably automatic selections at the moment – Paul Robinson, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon and Dimitar Berbatov.
Jermaine Jenas needs time to adjust to life after Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield.
Source: Tony Cascarino in The Times