Stephen Ward has admitted it felt like Albion were “down to the bare bones” in the defeat at Derby.

But the Irish defender insists the performance was encouraging.

Injuries combined with the sales of Ashley Barnes and Adam El-Abd left head coach Oscar Garcia with a depleted squad.

Kazenga LuaLua (hamstring) joined the casualty list headed by Andrew Crofts as Oscar fielded six subs with fewer than 40 Championship appearances between them over the last 13 months.

Left-back Ward told The Argus: “It felt like we were down to the bare bones with Bucker (Will Buckley) out as well. It's been a strange week but to put in a performance like we did shows the real character in the squad and how good a team we are.

“Derby have turned over many a good team and scored goal after goal, so to perform like we did is pleasing. We're just really disappointed not to have taken something from the game.”