Thomas doubt as Brunt lines up return

Albion winger Jerome Thomas is racing to be fit for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea – but captain Chris Brunt could be ready to step in.

Thomas is touch and go for the Hawthorns meeting with the Blues after suffering a hamstring strain in Saturday's 4-0 win at home to Sunderland.

Billy Jones is also struggling with a hamstring problem but Brunt hopes to be declared ready for a return after more two months out with a broken bone in his ankle.

Boss Roy Hodgson said: "Jerome has a slight hamstring injury but it's nothing too serious.

"He's making a good recovery and we will see how things are when the other lads have returned from international duty."

Hodgson will also assess Paul Scharner's recovery from a rib injury.

Brunt has not figured since fracturing a bone in the home defeat to Everton on New Year's Day.

But he returned to training last week and could be considered to face Chelseat.

"It's too early to tell whether he will be ready for this game,"?Hodgson said.

"Certainly he's technically fit. It's down now to match fitness."