Chris Coleman backs James Chester to break into Baggies side

Wales boss Chris Coleman has backed defender James Chester to break into the Albion team.

Gareth McAuley was suspended for Saturday's game against Arsenal but Chester was once again left on the bench as Albion head coach Tony Pulis opted to play Jonas Olsson instead.

The former Hull centre-half is desperate to play more games for his club with the European Championships at the end of the season.

Coleman wants his players to be playing regular football but expects Chester to pick up more minutes for Albion as the season wears on.

"I think given a bit of time he will break into the West Brom team," said the Wales coach.

"Defensively they're doing well and in all fairness he's played in two or three different positions.

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"When he finds his feet I expect him to play regularly for West Brom.

"But that's not my decision, that's up to Tony."

Chester has played the full 90 minutes in Wales's last two games and played a key role in qualification.

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But he's only started one Premier League match for Albion since joining for £8 million in the summer.

"They know they need to be playing regularly," Coleman said.

"If you're on the periphery of the squad you've got a better chance if you're playing regularly and playing well to make that final cut."

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Chester was used as a centre-back in a three-man defence at Hull last season. Pulis sees him more as a right-back, but the Man United academy graduate has struggled in that position so far.

"To be playing for Wales I have to start for my club," said Chester. "It's impossible to play at this level and not be playing week in, week out."