Albion fringe pair Peter Brezovan and Adam El-Abd are on course for back-to-back appearances in the defence at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Slovakian goalkeeper and Egypt international centre-half are poised to deputise again for the injured Tomasz Kuszczak and captain Gordon Greer.

Kuszczak (strained stomach muscle) and Greer (calf) are not expected to recover in time for the trip to the North-East.

Kuszczak pulled out during the warm-up and Greer hobbled off in the early stages of last Saturday’s 3-1 win against Leicester at The Amex.

The length of their absences is still unclear but neither of them has been able to train.

Andrea Orlandi has also continued to sit out training due to swelling around the knee which required surgery earlier in the season.

Striker Leo Ulloa (foot), sidelined since the start of October, is training but not at “high intensity” according to head coach Oscar Garcia. The Spaniard added: “After his injury you have to be careful.”

Will Buckley (ankle) remains a doubt as well for Albion’s attempt to stretch their unbeaten away run to five games.

Another outing would be particularly poignant for Brezovan. He has not played successive matches since April 2012.