PELE has added to Tony Mowbray's headaches at centre-half by sitting out training today ahead of Saturday's trip to Hull (ko 3pm).

And the Baggies boss has been forced to rule Jonas Olsson out of contention for at least another month with tendonitis in his knee.

Cape Verde international Pele is suffering from stiffness after making his first two starts of the season in the space of three days against Burnley and Manchester United.

He now faces a race against time to be fit for the KC Stadium clash, while Ryan Donk continues to battle on with a groin problem.

Abdoulaye Meite could play some part against the Tigers after training this week for the first time since limping off with a hamstring problem at Chelsea on Boxing Day.

But Leon Barnett (hamstring) is out for a further fortnight as he keeps long-term absentee Neil Clement (knee) company in the treatment room.

"Pele didn't train today," said Mowbray.

"He's feeling some tightness.

"Having not played a lot of football this season, coming into the intensity of the Premier League and being asked to play the last few games has taken its toll on his body.

"He's just generally stiff all over and tight in his groins.

"We'll see if he trains tomorrow.

"Meite trained today but you have to put it into context.

"He's trained for three days now but he's been out for five weeks.

"We'll have to assess how Pele's feeling and Ryan is of a similar ilk really - he's getting through training at the moment.

"Olsson is going to be another four or five weeks I would think.

"Barnett will be another fortnight."

Mowbray added: "Jonas has been told not to do anything for two weeks and it will be possibly six weeks before he gets anywhere near back thinking about playing.

"He's sort of on a rest really.

"We're going to give him a few days to go home and come back on Wednesday to start rehabilitating.

"His knee is obviously very, very sore.

"It's been there for a few weeks and he's been playing with it.

"It's come to a head where he couldn't carry on.

"He's been told to rest and relax for a few weeks and let the inflammation settle down."

On a positive note, Luke Moore (hamstring) and Craig Beattie are around a week away from being available for selection.

But the strike duo, like Jonathan Greening (knee), Shelton Martis (hamstring) and long-term absentee Ishmael Miller (knee), will miss Saturday's match 

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