Albion are sweating on the fitness of key striker Roman Bednar as they plotted another step towards history at Bristol City.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side will move within two matches of the club’s record 14-game unbeaten away run if they avoid defeat at Ashton Gate tomorrow.

But they could face the Robins without nine-goal hitman Bednar, who was still nursing a back injury today as the squad departed for the West Country.

The Czech Republic international missed Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Cardiff after suffering a back spasm and failing a late fitness test.

And head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: “He is still aching and in a bit of pain but he’s better and we’re hoping he will be available.”

Centre-back Abdoulaye Meite also has an outside chance of returning from injury but Marek Cech, Ishmael Miller, James Morrison and Giles Barnes will not be fit.

Di Matteo will also be without the suspended Jerome Thomas the Baggies look to extend an unbeaten away that already stands at 11 games.

That is the best unbeaten away League sequence in single Albion season but they must avoid losing for three more matches to equal the club record of 14 matches, set over two seasons in 1996 by Alan Buckley’s team.

The Baggies are unlikely to complete any loan signings before tomorrow’s match, although they still hope to land a new face early next week.

Di Matteo said: “One minute you think you’re nearer and a minute later your hopes get crushed.

“There aren’t that many quality players that would make a difference in our team.

“There are some but they are not available to us because they are playing in their team.”

Meanwhile, Di Matteo has admitted to mixed feelings about star midfielder Graham Dorrans’ likely call-up for Scotland’s friendly with the Czech Republic next month.

New Scotland boss Craig Levein was due to name the squad later today.

“There is a new manager there so he wants to look at all his options and Dorrans is an option for his team.

“I hope he’s not going to call him up for the next game because it’s only a friendly and he could do with a rest.

“But if he does it would be truly deserved.”