Albion winger Filipe Teixeira is poised for his first league start under Roberto Di Matteo as Chris Brunt faces another day on the sidelines.

The Portuguese playmaker is set for only his second league start in 18 months against Crystal Palace at the Hawthorns tomorrow, with Brunt struggling to overcome a knee injury.

Gonzalo Jara is standing by for a possible League debut at left-back with Joe Mattock nursing an ankle injury, but the return of Teixeira will be of equal interest to the Baggies faithful.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo, who tried out the duo in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, said: “They are part of our squad and I wouldn’t have any problems putting them in the team.

“I think Filipe had a good game at Arsenal on Tuesday. He’s been training well and that’s why I played him. He deserved to play.”

Fans will be keen to see the popular Teixeira rediscover the form he showed in his first season, when he helped put the club on course for promotion before tearing a cruciate knee ligament in March 2008.

The 29-year-old started just once in the Premier League but he looks set to play tomorrow with Brunt and Marek Cech injured, while Jerome Thomas is suspended.

Di Matteo is set to put his faith in Teixeira and Jara rather than dipping into the loan market.

He said: “Hopefully the injuries we have are not long-term and for one or two games we can get by without using the loan market.”

Thomas ould still face a club fine for the shove on Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere on Tuesday that brought him a red card and a three-match suspension.

Di Matteo said: “I’m still debating whether or not to fine Jerome. Obviously he was provoked and you have to take that into consideration.

“He feels very sorry and has apologised.”