Club News

Pulis provides pre-Everton injury update

Albion head coach to decide on starting XI as late as possible

JONNY Evans, Chris Brunt and Craig Dawson will each be assessed ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton but Gareth McAuley definitely misses the Goodison Park encounter.

Centre-back McAuley (hamstring) is the latest in a line of players to take his place on the treatment table in recent weeks, limping out of Wednesday's FA Cup triumph at Peterborough after just 19 minutes.

He joined Evans, Brunt, Dawson, James Morrison and Callum McManaman on the injury list and will miss out against the Toffees on Saturday (3pm ko).

But Tony Pulis will consult with his medical team over the fitness of the former trio before deciding on his starting XI as late as possible.

"We have to deal with Everton, we know it's going to be a tough game, they've hit a rich vein of form, but our concern is making sure we get a team on the pitch," said the head coach at Friday morning's press conference.

"We picked up some injuries again the other night, it's just looking at the players who are available and trying to pick a team to get a result there.

"Evans and Brunt are getting closer - whether they'll be close enough for that game, I'm not sure. McAuley definitely won't play, Dawson will have a chance I think. But again, we have to speak to the medical people and see what they think."

Pulis added: "We did very well against Everton earlier in the season, played really well for about an hour. Then we conceded a goal and they ended up winning the game from being 2-0 down, which was really disappointing for us.

"They've got some fantastic players, it's most probably the strongest Everton squad that the club has had for a long time.

"We know how difficult it's going to be, they're a good side and it's going to be tough, but we have to go there and make sure we put a show on."