Albion defender Gianni Zuiverloon has been put on alert for a comeback after Steven Reid was ruled out for the trip to Swansea.

The Dutchman could come in from the cold at the Liberty Stadium tonight, after on-loan Reid was left behind when the squad headed for Wales last night.

Reid has picked up a groin injury and is now facing a race to be fit to face Preston at the Hawthorns on Saturday, but his absence could open the way for Zuiverloon to return after more than a month frozen out of boss Roberto Di Matteo’s plans.

The 23-year-old has been exiled from the matchday squad since a nightmare display in the FA Cup replay defeat to Reading on February 24.

But Di Matteo said: “I haven’t made my mind up yet, but there is a possibility for Gianni to be back in the team tonight. He wasn’t going through a good patch of form and it was affecting the team a little bit as well, so that’s why I left him out for a little bit.

“Usually a little break helps with some training. You can pick yourself up, we’ve spoken to him as well and we’ll see how he goes.”

The other option to replace Reid at right-back would be Gabriel Tamas, with Abdoulaye Meite slotting in at centre-back in place of the Romanian.

Roman Bednar is also ruled out tonight with a leg injury, while the Baggies boss must decide whether to start with Ishmael Miller for the second time in four days.

Di Matteo said: “Steven Reid has a little groin problem, so he will be doubtful. Roman Bednar has a tight quad muscle, so he will be doubtful too.

“Luke Moore is a bit better. He was ill over the weekend. Ishmael got a kick to his hamstring but he is recovering OK. We need to assess him. These boys have been out for a long time and the same applies to Steven Reid.

“He hasn’t played a lot of games in a short period for a long, long time and it’s the same with James Morrison. They feel the games because they’re not quite up to tempo and it’s the same with Ish.

“I wish I could start him in every game but we need to take into consideration all of these factors.”