Albion defender Tommy Elphick is facing a second Achilles operation, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

A top surgeon in Finland, recommended by world renowned Swedish scientist Hakan Alfredson, will operate on Elphick who ruptured an Achilles at Notts County at the end of last season.

The centre-half, 24 last month, has been assured the damage is not career-threatening.

Elphick will be boosted by Stoke striker Mama Sidibe’s recovery after he ruptured his Achilles twice.

Sidibe is now back in contention with the Premier League club.

Albion’s Reserves won 3-0 at Cheltenham yesterday with two goals by Torbjorn Agdestein, on his return from a loan spell at Bath, and George Barker.