Albion have been forced to field crocked players during their slide down the Championship table.

A crippling casualty list means players have been pressed into service while carrying injuries.

Manager Gus Poyet revealed: “In the last few weeks there have been players who have played games with some problems. They were not 100% because we were limited, we were having problems in certain positions.”

The victims include Poyet’s No. 2 Mauricio Taricco, who begins a two-match ban against next-to-bottom Coventry at The Amex tomorrow for his red card at Southampton.

Poyet said: “Tano has been playing with some problems, so this week has been good for him to keep an eye on his injuries and make sure he is fitter and stronger for a week’s time.”

Albion’s injuries are gradually clearing up but Gonzalo Jara Reyes (knee) will not be ready until Nottingham Forest’s visit a week tomorrow and Vicente (thigh) is short of match fitness after his six-week lay-off.

“He is available,” said Poyet. “Unfortunately for Vicente he is fitter than when he arrived but his match fitness is at the same level, so maybe we need to go through that process again.”

Poyet’s attempts to land another Premier League loan signing before yesterday’s 5pm deadline reached a dead end.Meanwhile, Albion have agreed to extend defender Steve Cook’s loan stint with Bournemouth to a second month.