Club News

Mel's injury worries mount

Duo limp out of KC Stadium encounter

PEPE Mel is hoping Gareth McAuley does not add to his list of absent defenders after the centre-half - and stand-in captain - limped out of today’s 2-0 defeat Hull with a calf problem in the 79th minute.

Victor Anichebe (hamstring) also joined the Baggies’ walking wounded three minutes earlier.

Mel’s backline was already weakened heading into the KC Stadium encounter by the absence of Jonas Olsson, who served the first game of a two-match ban, and Billy Jones (hamstring).

The Albion chief was also without four other senior players due to injuries, with Claudio Yacob (hamstring), Chris Brunt, Morgan Amalfitano and Diego Lugano (all knee) sidelined.

“It’s a big problem,” said the Albion chief.

“McAuley got injured and Olsson is suspended.

“Billy Jones too and Anichebe is possibly injured too.

“It’s a problem because the next match is a big match for us.

“McAuley has a very swollen ankle and Anichebe has a muscular problem.”