West Brom boss explains early right-back withdrawal and what 'big point' he made to players before defeat

He was caught in behind for Ephron Mason-Clark's fifth-minute opener and the right-back, as well as other colleagues, failed to close down Jack Rudoni who ran half the length of the pitch before smashing into the top corner from 25 yards.

Gilchrist was replaced by the returning George Campbell five minutes before the interval.

"Possibly a slight fitness concern that I haven't yet checked in on post the end of the game," Ramsay said.

"Obviously, we were having some difficulties and we wanted to steady up on that side."

The 22-year-old made just a sixth Championship start for the Baggies in a disappointing debut campaign having made the permanent switch from boyhood club Chelsea.

He has appeared 11 times in the league in all competitions, along with a further two FA Cup starts, but failed to hold down a place in the side under Ryan Mason or under-fire current boss Ramsay.

Centre-back Campbell, another summer arrival, has been Albion's right-back for much of the campaign.

Danny Imray was recruited on loan from Crystal Palace in January with a view to operate at right wing-back but Ramsay has since switched Albion to a more familiar back four and has appeared to favour Gilchrist, though Campbell's return from a hamstring issue is likely to be a boost.

Albion slumped to a 2-0 home reverse to make it eight winless under Ramsay and fell closer to the second tier relegation places. Just a single point and a late equaliser against has kept Leicester behind the Baggies with Ramsay under severe pressure ahead of Tuesday's visit of Charlton.

"I'm very disappointed with the manner of the loss and the goals because you look back on the balance of play and feel like, had we shown more conviction in moments where we certainly should have shown more conviction, then the outcome could have been very different," Ramsay said of his side's defeat.

"So elements of the balance of play which were positive but positive isn't enough at the moment and we're very aware that we've got to do more."

Ramsay revealed a big part of the pre-match plan was to build on successive clean sheets in the last two league games, the goalless draws against Stoke and Birmingham.

But Mason-Clark was allowed an easy lofted finish early on before Rudoni's stunner made it two after he was gifted the freedom of half The Hawthorns pitch.

Albion fans stayed with their side until the second goal went in before more anger rained from the home stands.

"We made a big point prior to the game about making sure we picked up where we left off in the league with that sense of togetherness and energy and conviction and connection with the crowd," Ramsay said.

"I think the first five minutes reflected that up until the point at which we, on a series of instances leading to the goal, don't do ourselves justice in those moments.

"That sixth minute or whatever it was, did not reflect the first five and that's a disappointing thing because we really needed it to."