Albion new-boy Gonzalo Jara could make his Championship debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday after impressing at Arsenal last night.

The Chile international made his first appearance in Baggies colours in place of the injured Joe Mattock in the 2-0 Carling Cup defeat at north London.

And Jara could be asked to fill in again at left-back against Palace with both Mattock and Marek Cech struggling with injury.

Jara, who signed for £1.4m from Santiago-based Colo Colo at the end of the summer transfer window, earned praise last night from head coach Roberto Di Matteo.

“He was very good,” said the Hawthorns boss. “He’s an excellent player and there is much more to come from him.

“He’s a player who can cover various positions.

“We’re struggling a little bit on the left side at the moment and he played very well in his first game.”

Di Matteo could find his squad stretched to its limits against Palace with Mattock and Cech both struggling with ankle problems, Chris Brunt a doubt with a knee injury and Jerome Thomas set to be hit with a three-match ban.

Thomas’s suspension and Brunt’s possible absence could open the door for Robert Koren and Filipe Teixeira to keep their places after both started at The Emirates Stadium.

And Di Matteo does not believe his players should be disheartened despite defeat to the Gunners.

“I’m very proud of my players,” he said.“I felt just before the sending-off we were getting on top of the game and we had a good chance to win.”