Striker in race against time for Cardiff start
VICTOR Anichebe faces a fitness test on his injured hamstring tomorrow to discover if he will be available to start against Cardiff on Saturday (ko 3pm) - a game Pepe Mel has described as a ‘final’.
The Baggies boss has received a triple boost with Gareth McAuley (ankle), Morgan Amalfitano and Diego Lugano (both knee) all being declared fit for the visit of the Bluebirds after overcoming injuries.
But the Hawthorns encounter will come too soon for Claudio Yacob and Billy Jones (both hamstring).
Jonas Olsson will serve the second game of his two-match ban, while Chris Brunt (knee) remains sidelined.
Mel, who has been mulling over his striker options, said: “We’re waiting until tomorrow to see on Anichebe, so there is a question mark over him.
“He is an important player for us and if he doesn’t play from the start we’ll try at least to get him on the bench to come on.
“But we also have Berahino, Vydra, Thievy, Sessegnon and Gera – all players who are capable of playing that role.”
The 16th-placed Baggies are three points above and as many places ahead of City, who have played a game more, and Mel has called it a must-win clash.
“We’re not looking too far into the future; for us there is only one game – Cardiff is a final,” he added.
“The only thing that will do for us is the victory.”