Richard Carpenter will battle on with an ankle injury to help Albion to Championship survival.

The central midfielder is poised to face his old club Cardiff at Ninian Park on Saturday after coming through the home defeat by Derby.

Carpenter needed a painkilling injection in the ankle so that he could play against County at Withdean last Saturday.

He missed the first six weeks of the season following a knee operation but manager Mark McGhee today dismissed the immediate prospect of further surgery for one of his most dependable performers.

McGhee said: "Chippy's fine. He's trained well, full out.

"We'll see how it goes. If it gives him any more aggravation towards the end of the season then, if and when we get the points, he might just get it sorted."

Carpenter will be partnered again at Cardiff by Alexis Nicolas, making his first away start for two months.

The ex-Chelsea prospect regained his spot against Derby in place of banned captain Charlie Oatway, who misses out on a nostalgic return to Wales.

McGhee said: "I thought Alexis did well. He looked fresher and more effective than he was prior to going out of the team."

Oatway, another Cardiff old boy, serves the second of a three-match suspension for his red card at Leeds.