Albion striker Roman Bednar will return to the team against Cardiff with boss Roberto Di Matteo revealing he could secure a regular place.

The Czech forward is in line to replace the injured Luke Moore in the Baggies attack against Cardiff at the Hawthorns tonight, after impressing as a substitute at Derby on Saturday.

Di Matteo admits a solid display could land Bednar an extended run in the starting line-up.

The head coach said: “We know what Roman can do. The team was playing well so you don’t really change things. But, as people have seen throughout the season, players have come into the team, done well, and stayed in the team.

“Roman is a proven goalscorer in the Championship and we hope he can give us something. He seems quite a happy chap lately in training and around the training ground.”

Moore is almost certainly ruled out after picking up a thigh injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Derby.

The striker has joined a growing list of absentees in the Baggies squad.

Di Matteo said: “We’ve got long-term injured players still out in Ishmael Miller, James Morrison and Neil Clement. Robert Koren has had his operation and is also out. Jerome Thomas won’t make it for tonight so that makes five players out.

“Luke Moore is struggling as well. He had a knock on his thigh, so that makes it six. We hope Luke won’t be out for long but this game will come too soon for him.

“We’ll have to see how Jerome and Luke progress over the next few days.”

Bednar has not started a match since October, when he was injured after five minutes of the 3-1 home win over Reading but seems certain to step in for Moore.