Olsson blow for Baggies

West Brom have been dealt a blow with central defender Jonas Olsson facing at least another month on the sidelines with tendinitis in his knee.

Tony Mowbray’s £800,000 summer capture from NEC Nijmegen has not featured in Albion’s four games since the 2-1 reversal at Aston Villa.

It was hoped rest and recuperation would provide a quick solution for the former Swedish Under-21 international but Olsson will not be back until the start of March at the earliest.

Mowbray said: “Jonas was told from last week to do nothing for two weeks – and in all it will be possibly six weeks before he can even think about playing.

“It is a rest thing. We are going to give him a few days to go home and then maybe come back and train from next Wednesday and get ready to start rehabilitation.

“It is tendinitis in his knee, just an inflammation. It is very sore. He has been playing for a few weeks in discomfort and yet it came to a head whereby he couldn’t carry on.

“He has been told to rest and relax and take it easy for a few weeks and let the inflammation go and then we will try to assess him.”

Mowbray does not have a fully fit centre-half ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hull with Leon Barnett, Abdoulaye Meite, Neil Clement, Ryan Donk and Pele all struggling.

Donk and Pele are likely to be pressed into action despite suffering with respective groin problems.

Mowbray said: “It is not ideal. How many clubs would cope with having six centre-backs not being 100 per cent fit. Hopefully we can get two fit enough to get on the pitch.

“If everyone was 100%, the two that start on Saturday wouldn’t be in the team but we have to get on with it and try to make the most of it.”