WBA v Cardiff City. Match preview

Last updated : 07 January 2012 By Michael Morris

WBAWest Brom could be without eight first-team regulars as their injury crisis mounts ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash with Cardiff at the Hawthorns.

Captain Chris Brunt (ankle) has joined Zoltan Gera (knee), striker Shane Long (back) and defender Steven Reid on the sidelines.

Centre-back Jonas Olsson (calf), winger Jerome Thomas (groin) plus midfielders James Morrison (hamstring) and Youssouf Mulumbu (groin) are all rated as doubtful.

Malky Mackay wants to rest key players, with his side facing huge Carling Cup and Championship matches in the coming days.

There could be up to 10 changes from the team who started the thrilling 3-1 Bank Holiday Monday triumph over Reading at Cardiff City Stadium.

Key figures such as Peter Whittingham, Kenny Miller and skipper Mark Hudson are amongst those who Mackay may take out of the firing line at The Hawthorns.

Amongst those in contention for a starting spot against the Baggies are goalkeeper Tom Heaton, defenders Paul Quinn, Anthony Gerrard and Lee Naylor and midfielders Stephen McPhail and Filip Kiss.

Rob Earnshaw (pictured right) also looks likely to get his first start since the 4-3 defeat at Peterborough on October 18, as partner to Rudy Gestede. Wide man Craig Conway is another pushing for a return.

Mackay knows he needs to juggle his pack because the Bluebirds’ success this season has left them with a hectic run of games to follow the Christmas clashes with Reading, Nottingham Forest and Watford.

West Brom (squad): Foster, Fulop, Jones, Jara Reyes, Olsson, McAuley, Dawson, Tamas, Mattock, Shorey, Mulumbu, Morrison, Scharner, Thorne, Dorrans, Thomas, Tchoyi, Cox, Fortune, Odemwingie, Bednar.