Fabricio Coloccini is still suspended for the Liverpool match and hence will not play any part in it. Elsewhere in midfield, skipper Kevin Nolan is expected to be return from the ankle problem that has sidelined him for the last two games and Danny Guthrie could retain his place in the squad as the ankle injury that saw him stretchered off at the Hawthorns is not as serious as was first feared.

First-choice centre-backs Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson serve the final leg of their three-match suspensions.