Albion cult hero Darren Moore expects to face a wounded animal after snatching a sneak preview of his former club.

The former Baggies star looks set to return from injury tonight to play for Barnsley against Roberto Di Matteo’s side at Oakwell.

Moore is bracing his Tykes team-mates for a backlash, after watching his former club surrender their unbeaten Championship record on Saturday.

The 35-year-old missed Barnsley’s 5-2 defeat to QPR on Saturday through injury and took the opportunity to watch his former club in their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

‘Big Dave’ said: “I wanted to have a look at Albion and also to meet Claude Davis, from Crystal Palace, who is a friend of mine.

“From where I was it was a terrible display by Albion, but we all know that is not how they have been playing to get themselves to the top of the table.

“They are a very good side and we know we will have to play very well to give them a game.

“Any team that loses the way Albion did on Saturday wants to fight back and get a win straight away.

“But we are no different. We had a bad loss on Saturday as well and we have to get that out of our systems.

“It should be a really interesting game between two teams who really have points to prove.”

Moore remains a hugely popular figure at the Hawthorns, from his five years and more than 100 matches in Baggies colours.

But, having played a part in Albion’s defeat to Derby in the Championship play-off final in 2007, Moore will again have to put sentiment to one side this evening.

He said: “Everybody knows that Albion have a special place in my heart and they always will. But I am a professional footballer and I am paid to get points for Barnsley, so I will be committed and professional as always.

“Albion have an excellent squad and I’m sure they will be up in the top two or three at the end of the season. No-one would be happier that me if they go up.

“But, for the games against us, I hope they play like they did on Saturday.”