Curtis Davies’ unfortunate own goal gave Blackpool a slender advantage over Birmingham in the first leg of their npower Championship play-off semi-final last night.

Birmingham are facing a player shortage ahead of tomorrow’s home FA Cup fifth-round replay against Chelsea with eight senior members of the squad cup-tied or injured.

The question posed by an Italian journalist to Andre Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge couldn’t have been more straightforward.

Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa all missed out as Chelsea made four changes for today’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Birmingham.

HEINEKEN CUP winner Raphael Ibanez believes that three Irish provinces will create history by making it to the last eight of the tournament this year.

Real Madrid 6 Dinamo Zagreb 2

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson plans to hand some of his fringe players game time in tomorrow’s Carling Cup second round tie at Bournemouth.

West Brom have a major doubt over striker Peter Odemwingie for tomorrow’s visit to Chelsea while winger Jerome Thomas will definitely miss the Barclays Premier League game.

New signing Shane Long is poised to make his West Brom debut in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League opener with Manchester United at the Hawthorns.

West Brom will continue to be without Graham Dorrans for their Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson will be without Somen Tchoyi for tomorrow’s Premier League encounter with Liverpool at the Hawthorns.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson should have a full squad available for Monday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.

West Brom have no new injury worries ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League match against West Ham.

West Brom have been boosted by the availability of top scorer Peter Odemwingie ahead of their match against Manchester City.

West Brom welcome back key defender Jonas Olsson from suspension for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill will make his first Barclays Premier League start for West Brom when they take on Blackpool tomorrow.

Roberto di Matteo has more defensive problems to contend with ahead of West Brom’s trip to Fulham.

West Brom will be without two key defenders through suspension for the home Barclays Premier League clash with leaders Manchester United on Saturday.

West Brom head coach Roberto Di Matteo will check on the fitness of a quintet of players ahead of Sunday’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle.

West Brom are waiting on the fitness of Chris Brunt ahead of their Barclays Premier League match against Everton.

Chris Brunt is a doubt for West Brom’s Barclays Premier League encounter with Stoke tomorrow after picking up an injury on international duty in midweek.

West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans is doubtful for the trip to play Wigan because of injury.

West Ham 2 West Brom 2

West Brom this afternoon confirmed they would appeal the red card issued to defender Pablo Ibanez in last night’s 2-1 defeat at Blackpool.

BLACKPOOL claimed their first home Barclays Premier League win last night after promoted rivals West Brom were reduced to nine men in the opening half hour.

Blackpool 2 West Brom 1

West Bromwich Albion head coach Roberto Di Matteo has a handful of key injury doubts ahead of Monday’s trip to Blackpool.

West Brom 2 Fulham 1

West Brom’s leading scorer Peter Odemwingie is a major doubt for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

West Brom could be without Premier League player of the month Peter Odemwingie for their match against Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Czech striker Roman Bednar is available for West Brom’s home Barclays Premier League match against Bolton.

West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas and winger Jerome Thomas are fitness doubts for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

West Brom head coach Roberto Di Matteo is expected to ring the changes for tomorrow’s home Carling Cup clash with Manchester City.

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo will have Graham Dorrans back in his side for the derby clash with Birmingham tomorrow.

West Brom could be without creative midfielder Graham Dorrans for tomorrow's match against Tottenham.

DAMIEN Varley had two goals in mind when he headed to London on trial with Wasps two years ago.

West Brom will be without defender Marek Cech for at least three weeks, which in the first instance rules him out of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

SCOTT PARKER spared West Ham’s blushes by scoring their winner against League Two outfit Oxford with a right-foot shot deep into injury time to send the Hammers through to the third round of the Carling Cup.

Leyton Orient 0 West Brom 2

Jerome Thomas is set to miss West Brom’s Carling Cup second-round tie away to Leyton Orient after twisting his ankle during the 1-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend.

Roberto Di Matteo has pledged to stick by the majority of the West Brom team that were thrashed 6-0 by Chelsea last weekend for tomorrow’s clash with Sunderland.

West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans is winning his fight to be fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Chelsea.

West Brom have confirmed they have completed the signing of Spanish defender Pablo Ibanez on a free transfer.

THE waiting is over.