Injury boost for Baggies boss

Roberto Di Matteo is hopeful of a triple injury boost for Saturday's trip to Derby with Joe Mattock, Filipe Teixeira and Jerome Thomas all back in contention.

Left-back Mattock is back in training after his foot injury while Thomas is confident of lining up at Pride Park following his back and hamstring problems.

And midfielder Teixeira was hoping for the all-clear to return to the training ground today after the groin injury that kept him out of the win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Thomas was forced off early at Hillsborough but he is adamant he will be fit to face the Rams.

Head coach Di Matteo said: "Joe Mattock trained yesterday. He looks fine and should be okay this week.

"Filipe Teixeira is feeling better. He had a scan yesterday on his groin problem and we're awaiting the results. If that's alright he'll be training today as well.

"JT's got a tight hamstring, which is why we took him off on Saturday.

"He's doing rehab but, fingers crossed, he'll be back in training today." Mattock's likely return will face Di Matteo facing a choice between the teenager and Marek Cech at left-back.

"It's a nice headache to have," said Di Matteo.

Meanwhile Thomas, who scored his fifth goal of the season at Hillsborough, said: "I'm getting treatment.

"I pulled a muscle behind my rib but it's not serious."