Albion ace Anthony Knockaert has called for more protection from referees.

The French winger fears he could suffer a bad injury as he continues to dazzle defences in the Championship.

Opponents are paying special attention to Knockaert following his hot start to the season. Barnsley’s Cole Kpekawa escaped with a booking for a tackle from behind in the last game at the Amex.

Knockaert told The Argus: “I saw a kind of bad tackle on me.

“I think referees have to be clever and see when there is a technical player like me. They have to protect players like this.

“I was watching Barcelona and you see Neymar. All the time they kick him and stuff but the refs are really close to him.

“That can be important for a player with my kind of game. You never know, a player can be crazy and give you a bad tackle.”

Knockaert scored his fifth goal of the season last time out at Sheffield Wednesday. He is already halfway towards last season’s career-best tally of ten for Albion and Standard Liege and wants to emulate skipper Bruno by playing in every league game.

His ever-present record is under threat from suspension. A fifth booking at home to Preston on Saturday would trigger a one-match ban.