West Brom near to full strength for Spurs trip

West Brom boss Alan Irvine expects a clean bill of health for Sunday's trip to Tottenham – but is urging fans to remain patient with his summer signings.

The Baggies head coach expects all 25 of his senior men to train today, putting defender Joleon Lescott and winger Silvestre Varela in contention to figure at Spurs.

But Irvine insists several of his players remain short of peak fitness as he searches for the first league win of his reign.

Winger Varela is one of several players still being given 'top-up' fitness sessions after morning training, with full-backs Cristian Gamboa and Jason Davidson, wideman Sebastian Blanco and striker Georgios Samaras all still playing catch-up.

But with Boaz Myhill, Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anichebe back in training after injury, Irvine believes he is closer to boasting a fully-fit squad for the visit to White Hart Lane.

"For the first time, we will have all 25 training and that is great news for us," said the Scot. "It means we're getting closer now to having the full range of options open to us.

"It's important that everyone is aware there's a difference between not being injured and being fit to play. But it's still fantastic news to know that we don't now have to make decisions based on who we think is the most ready to play.

"Some players are still needing to do 'top-up' sessions after group training because they are still some way behind the rest of the squad. Their levels of fitness need to improve still. But it's very encouraging that the treatment room is empty for the first time since I arrived."

Samaras and Blanco made their debuts as second-half substitutes in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Everton – a game Sessegnon missed with an eye injury and Anichebe sat out with a groin problem.

Gamboa has made just two league appearances as a substitute while Lescott and Varela have yet to figure. Gareth McAuley has yet to start a league game this season after pre-season injuries.

They could all feature in next Wednesday's Capital One Cup game at home to Hull.