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Albion down to bare bones in defence

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West Brom's defence could be down to the bare bones for Sunderland's visit to the Hawthorns on Saturday.

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Jonny Evans and Jonas Olsson are facing a race to be fit this week to take on the Black Cats.

Evans missed both of Northern Ireland's European Championship qualifiers with a hamstring injury, while Olsson continues to be monitored for a groin injury that forced him off against Everton.

Midfielder James Morrison is also a doubt for Sam Allardyce's first game in charge of Sunderland with an ankle injury.

Boss Tony Pulis: "We're hoping everyone returns back OK. Evans and Morrison are still being assessed at this stage."

If Olsson and Evans are both unavailable, Pulis may have to turn to James Chester, who he hopes has been given a boost by Wales qualifying for the European Championships.

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Although the £8million signing has found it tough so far this season, the Baggies chief hopes qualifying for Euro 2016 with Wales will lift his fellow countryman's spirits.

Pulis said: "To see Wales and Northern Ireland qualify is wonderful. To have so many home nations at the Euros next summer will be good.

"I hope we will see a reaction from those players – if we do, brilliant."

But the international break hasn't proved to be all positive for the Baggies, with a trio of their other internationals facing a long journey.

Pulis said: "Many of the players won't be back in till later this week. Salomon [Rondon], Sess[egnon] and Cristian [Gamboa] for instance don't come back until late Thursday or early Friday.

"It's ridiculous really but there's nothing we can do about it."

A club official yesterday dismissed reports that Albion are interested in spending £14.8million on Spanish defensive midfielder Ignacio Camacho in January.