However, Welsh has promised to show his worth should the opportunity be given to him tonight.
"I'm not taking it for granted I'm playing tonight, but I'm hopeful. I was due to be on the bench when the game was supposed to be played the first time, but the way we lined up in our final training session means I might have a chance to start," he said.
"Even if I'm on the bench, I'll be made up. Just to be involved in the squad is great for me."
He added: "I didn't start on my best form when the gaffer arrived, but in the last few months I think I've started to do a lot better. I have not really felt down or frustrated about not being in the first team because when you see the club has brought in a class player like Xabi Alonso obviously he's going to be in the side."