Five doubts for Albion

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.

Chris Brunt (groin), Peter Odemwingie (knee), James Morrison (back), Paul Scharner (knee) and Nicky Shorey (illness) will all be assessed.

Di Matteo said: “We are hoping that some of these players will be available on Sunday.”

Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will serve the second game of a two-match ban after his sending-off at Everton. Central defender Jonas Olsson could return to action early in the new year after encouraging news about his Achilles problem.

Provisional squad: Carson, Myhill, Jara, Hurst, Tamas, Scharner, Ibanez, Cech, Shorey, Reid, Dorrans, Brunt, Morrison, Tchoyi, Cox, Odemwingie, Fortune, Miller, Meite, Barnes, Thomas, Berahino.