Full injury update ahead of Anfield trip
BROWN Ideye could return for Albion’s trip to Liverpool – but Silvestre Varela is struggling to shake off a groin strain.
Baggies striker Ideye suffered an ankle injury following a challenge just as he buried home his first goal for the club in the 3-2 Capital One Cup win against Hull.
The Nigeria international has yet to resume training, but Irvine is optimistic.
Victor Anichebe has also resume training following a minor groin quibble, although Varela is nursing an injury.
“Brown didn't train yesterday but he is making progress, he is improving,” said Alan Irvine.
“I am hoping he has a shout for Liverpool. He has rocked his ankle, it isn't too bad.
“These things come down to your pain tolerance levels. There are some players you can strap up and will be OK, there are some who take a little bit longer.
“Nobody can say how much pain he's feeling and I am certainly not playing down what he has got in the way of injury - but it isn't something serious.
“He hasn't badly damaged his ligaments, he hasn't broken his ankle, there's nothing major going on there. He has rocked his ankle - as he scored the goal their defender landed on his standing foot as he scored the goal.”
Speaking about Anichebe and Varela, Irvine continued: “Silvestre Varela didn't train yesterday, he has got a little bit of a groin strain so we are just monitoring that at the moment.
“Victor was a decision (we made), he was close to playing but I made a decision that he wasn't fully fit and so we left him out.
“We need players who are going to be able to play at their best level and from having a conversation with him it was clear he wasn't going to be able to do that.
“He trained so hopefully there will be no problems as far as that's concerned.
“He is still being monitored with this groin issue and we'll see how he responds after training.”
Chris Baird has resumed training following an absence due to illness.