West Brom face a host of injuries for FA Cup trip

West Brom were today wrestling with a potential FA Cup injury crisis on the eve of their third-round trip to Queens Park Rangers.

Baggies boss Steve Clarke has ruled out defenders Steven Reid, Jonas Olsson and Goran Popov and midfielder Claudio Yacob for the trip to Loftus Road because of injuries.

And the Scot today revealed he is sweating on the fitness of five more players, who he refused to name.

He said: "I have got loads of issues. We have got four definitely out – Steven, Jonas, Goran and Claudio are still unavailable.

"And I have got another five doubts. Like most clubs at this time of the year, after a run of four games in 11 days, we have stacked up a few knocks, bumps and bruises.

"We will assess the squad today and decide the best way to go for the game tomorrow. It's been a difficult time of year, and this time of year always is.

"Your squad gets stretched to the limit and used to the maximum, but we don't make any excuses. We just try to deal with the situation as best we can."

The Baggies return to the scene of their Boxing Day victory in the Premier League, with Clarke insisting he will give the FA Cup his full attention.

He said: "At the moment, it's as high a priority as anything else. We are only involved in three competitions.

"We are involved in the Premier League, we were involved in the League Cup and we are now involved in the FA Cup and we want to be involved in it as long as possible.

"We will put out a strong team, as strong as we can be on the day. QPR have had a great result in the week and I'm sure they will be a bit more buoyant.

"Their priorities will be trying to stay in the league and we are a little bit more comfortable. But it's a competition we want to try to do well in.

"If you look at the league at this stage, we are sitting in a reasonable position. It's a position we want to try to improve on in the second half of the season, but next up is the FA Cup.

"It's a competition I have always enjoyed some success in, as a player and a coach, and I would like to continue in the same way."