Baggies handed double injury blow

Albion were today dealt a double injury blow when wingers Chris Brunt and Jerome Thomas were all-but ruled out of tomorrow's derby clash with Villa.

Thomas's groin strain is certain to keep him on the sidelines along with defender Steven Reid, who suffered a calf injury in the 2-2 draw at Tottenham last week.

And captain Brunt is almost sure to miss out with a hamstring injury sustained in training yesterday.

Boss Roy Hodgson is yet to decide who will captain the side in Brunt's likely absence, but former skipper Scott Carson and defender Jonas Olsson are the obvious candidates.

Hodgson said: "Jerome Thomas has a slight groin strain that made him a bit doubtful for the Tottenham game and got aggravated during the game and forced him off.

"Reid is out with the calf muscle strain that forced him off at half-time.

"And with Brunt it was an unfortunate hamstring strain that came about with him trying to keep a ball in play by flicking his leg behind him.

"We've had it scanned and there is nothing particularly bad but it only happened yesterday.

"Had the game been on Sunday he would have had a better chance and had the injury happened on Tuesday he would have had a good chance.

"But as it is it's likely to keep him out. We will have a look at him tomorrow but he's likely to be missing."