West Bromwich Albion today ruled out Steven Reid for a month after the in-form defender was sent for surgery on a knee problem.

Reid had a ‘clean-up’ operation yesterday to repair wear and tear on his left knee and his recovery could keep him out until the end of January.

The news means the 30-year-old could miss up to seven league and cup matches, with summer signing Billy Jones likely to step in for the Boxing Day clash with Manchester City at The Hawthorns.

His latest problem is in the opposite knee to the one that gave him two years of injury hell in his time at Blackburn, a fact that will ease any fears over his long-term fitness.

But his absence at a crucial time will come as a blow to boss Roy Hodgson, who has seen Reid emerge as one of the club’s most consistent performers since he took charge in February.

The former Ireland international is also suffering with the ankle injury that forced him off seven minutes into Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Newcastle but Baggies doctors believe that damage will heal before his knee.

Hodgson will also check on the fitness of midfielders James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu when his squad report for training tomorrow.

Morrison missed the victory at the Sports Direct Arena with a hamstring strain while Mulumbu limped off in the second half after a long-standing groin problem flared up.

Both men are expected to undergo late fitness tests for Monday’s game but Jerome Thomas is likely to be available despite suffering a slight ankle problem against the Toon.

Jones can look forward to a festive recall in his preferred right-back berth after impressing at left-back earlier in the season.

And he has echoed team-mate Paul Scharner’s call for the Baggies to set their sights above the scrap for survival.

Jones replaced Reid at Newcastle and helped Albion to a second away victory in five days that propelled them into the top half of the table.

“I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

“It was great to get back-to-back away wins and we’ve made the gap bigger below us.

“We should always be looking up the league rather than behind us but it’s still nice to know that the gap is there.”