Central defender John McGreal has emerged as a late doubt for the Blues ahead of Sunday's Sky clash with West Brom. The former Tranmere man limped out of Friday training with a twisted ankle.

McGreal will be assessed on Saturday and again on Sunday. If the 31-year-old is fit then Town will be unchanged for the third game running, with youngsters Darren Bent and Dean Bowditch continuing up front. Tommy Miller and Jermaine Wright are both over their knocks.

Town boss Joe Royle has named a squad of 17 with youngster Scott Mitchell dropping out if McGreal makes it. Royle says that he has a number of options should the injury keep the Liverpool-born man out, with either Drissa Diallo and Georges Santos coming into the back four or both players making up a back three with Matt Elliott.

Midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has had a recurrence of his back problem and hasn't trained this week. Town's medical staff had felt that rest would have helped the problem clear up, however, he is still not right and again misses out.

Front man Pablo Couñago is making slow progress after his hamstring injury but Town are hopeful that he'll be back in training next week. Richard Naylor is in a similar position after breaking his toe, although he has been involved in light training.

Royle says that West Brom deserve to be in the top two: “They are there on merit. They have been consistent all year, they've scored goals freely, they're a very powerful side and are certainly a different style to ourselves.

“In the game up there we had a lot of possession but they scored the goals. They are very good on set plays; they were struggling last week until they scored from a corner, but that's not a criticism.

“That's something we've got to deal with because we've not been too great at that defending bit this year, although I think we have defended a lot better recently and Matt Elliott has certainly helped us in that direction; he's pulled us together a little bit and I'd dearly love to see him and John McGreal together again on Saturday.”

Another central defender, Thomas Gaardsøe, will return to Portman Road for the first time since his controversial transfer to Albion last summer. Royle says he is not surprised he has impressed at the Hawthorns: “He's done very well and Thomas is ideal for a three centre-back formation. He was when he played here and he's a year wiser in the position. Thomas is a very likable boy and I'm pleased for him.”

Back in September when Albion beat Town 4-1 Royle says Town would have been happy going into April with a shout at the play-offs: “After six games and we were bottom of the table, I think we would have gladly settle for this. It's gone full circle and we're in with a very good chance.

“There's no easy games for any of us. I've had a look through the fixtures and it's impossible to decipher, this league is so level.

“The top two are the top two because they have been the most consistent rather than because they have been sparkling like Portsmouth were last year. I think that's borne out by the fact that nobody in the division is averaging two points a game; everybody can beat everybody.

“That's not knocking them, West Brom and Norwich have ground out results better than the rest of us. I think that West Ham, ourselves, Sheffield United, Coventry and Reading would all say that when we have our days we're as good as anything in the division. The difference is that those two have won when they haven't played well.”

West Brom are likely to recall Geoff Horsfield after a calf injury, while Andy Johnson could be back after missing the midweek Wales win against Hungary.

Fellow Welshman Jason Koumas scored in the week but was left out of the Albion's last game and may again be rested, Macedonian Artim Sakiri taking his place.

Gary Megson is without Larus Sigurdsson who has a cruciate knee injury and Ronnie Wallwork due to a broken foot. Phil Gilchrist, Adam Chambers, Lee Marshall and Simon Brown are all out on loan.

Sunday's referee is Graham Laws from Whitley Bay. So far this season he has shown 78 yellow and eight red cards. Back in October he officiated in Town's 1-0 win at Bradford City.

Town squad: Davis, Wilnis, Richards, McGreal, Elliott, Magilton, Miller, Wright, Westlake, Bent, Bowditch, Price, Santos, Diallo, Kuqi, Reuser and Mitchell.

Photo: Action Images

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