Koumas issues derby warning

Jason Koumas today warned Wolves that he is ready to show the form which has made him the best player outside the Premiership.

Koumas, formally voted the Championship's top player at the weekend, believes this week's break from Albion's hectic recent schedule will be the key to his rediscovering his best at Molineux on Sunday.

Albion's defeat by Sunderland on Saturday was their seventh game in 21 days, and, although manager Tony Mowbray refused to use fatigue as a result, his players have admitted that the schedule had taken its toll.

Koumas, who has produced the best football of his career this season, has been among those who have suffered, but the build-up to the derby will be first time in six weeks he has not played a midweek fixture.

And the Welsh international midfielder hopes the break will enable him to help Albion to a third consecutive win over the old enemy with a display of some of the skills which have played such a vital role in the team's promotion push.

"It's been a big team effort this year," added Koumas. "But we've now got a very important final part of the season to try to finish off what we all want – which is winning promotion.

"I've been playing well this season – but I do feel I've been a bit quiet these last couple of weeks.

"I'm hoping this little rest before the Wolves game means I'll be nice and fresh for Sunday, which is such a big match for us. We now want to go on another run."

Koumas beat Preston hotshot David Nugent and Southampton wonderkid Gareth Bale to top spot. He was followed by Baggies' team mates Diomansy Kamara (fifth), Curtis Davies (sixth) and Kevin Phillips (21st) in the poll.

"I'm absolutely made up to win it," said the ex-Tranmere ace. "There are loads of good players in the Championship, as you can see from the top of the table.

"There are a lot of big clubs challenging and this is a great honour for me."