Alan Pardew wants a creative midfielder in January after Nacer Chadli is ruled out for two months

Albion's record signing limped off at Stoke last weekend after suffering a recurrence of his thigh injury just 15 minutes after coming on at half-time.

He is not expected back until March, and with the Baggies struggling to find the net, Pardew now wants to add a creative midfielder to his ranks in January.

James Morrison is nearing a return, but is not expected back from his Achilles problem until late January and Pardew knows first-hand that is an issue that can rumble on.

Salomon Rondon is expected to miss the next two games with his hamstring problem.

The Baggies boss was already hoping to sign a striker once the window opens next week, but now his wanted list has grown.

"Nacer looks like his injury is as bad as it was originally," said Pardew. "We think he's going to miss the first two months of this year which is a big blow for us.

"Coming out of the Stoke game that was probably as big a blow as the defeat.

"It's something we're going to have to deal with and something I'm going to have to look at in January, because obviously he's a quality player going out of the group for some considerable time.

"On the medical side of that issue, they ticked all the boxes and more, we were just a little bit unfortunate it recurred and that can happen.

"Next time we'll have to be even more cagey and careful, that is probably why I'm saying two months rather than less, which it could be."

Chadli's injury has removed any likelihood of him being sold in January.

The Belgian was for sale in the summer after a bust-up with Tony Pulis and there was some suggestion that Swansea would return with another offer next month.

But Pardew is a fan of Chadli, and says the 28-year-old is disappointed with his latest lay-off.

"Not only does he want to do well for the club, me and the fans, but he also has the World Cup around the corner," said Albion's head coach.

"He's disappointed and upset but he'll be ok, and he'll get his head around it. He's experienced enough to do that."

Morrison has been out since the start of October with an Achilles problem, but he is now starting to jog again.

"James is ok, he's starting to jog around," said Pardew. "It's an Achilles injury, I suffered one of those as a player, they're temperamental.

"You think you've got it and then it fattens up again and you can't get that unrestricted movement you need in that area.

"He has to be patient. I know he's desperate to come back, there's no holding him but at the moment we have to be careful."

Rondon injured himself slicing a shot into the Birmingham Road End against Everton, and is expected to miss the upcoming matches with Arsenal and West Ham. But Pardew is hoping he'll be available after that.

"Salomon is a doubt from the squad I had the other day," said Pardew. "He came off with a tweak to his hamstring. I can report that it's not serious.

"The next two games he's a doubt but after that he should be fine. It's not a long-term problem which is very useful for us."