Kirkland misses out

West Brom goalkeeper Chris Kirkland faces a month on the sidelines after bruising a kidney and misses Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash against Newcastle – Tomasz Kuszczak is favourite to step in but Russell Hoult has been recalled from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

Paul Robinson begins a three-match ban – Neil Clement may switch positions, although boss Bryan Robson has the option of playing Steve Watson or Riccardo Scimeca at left-back.

Nigerian international striker Kanu is confident he will recover from a hamstring problem in time but midfielder Zoltan Gera is still struggling with a groin problem.

Provisional squad: Hoult, Kuszczak, Watson, Albrechtsen, Clement, Gaardsoe, Moore, Davies, Scimeca, Carter, Chaplow, Wallwork, Johnson, Inamoto, Greening, Kamara, Kanu, Ellington, Horsfield, Campbell, Earnshaw.