Albion boss Gus Poyet has spoken of his shock and sadness at the death of former opponent Gary Speed.

Football is in mourning over the suicide of the 42-year-old Welsh manager and former Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton midfielder.

Poyet said: "I was absolutely shocked. It was a very sad Sunday for football, the kind of news you cannot believe. Even when people tell you, you need to check yourself because you don't believe it.

"I didn't know him a lot but I knew him enough, because I played against him. I had to mark him, because he was very good in the air. He was professional, a very nice person.

"I played in seniors tournaments against him and he seemed a very nice guy, which has been shown in the reaction of the world of football. It's very sad."

Marcos Painter could miss Albion's four matches before Christmas with the hamstring injury he sustained in the early stages of Saturday's 2-1 home win against Coventry.

Poyet said: "It's very early but it will be a couple of weeks minimum, maybe three, that kind of injury."

Vicente (thigh) and Gonzalo Jara Reyes (knee) are still missing for tomorrow night's trip to Derby but both could be back for Saturday's home game against Nottingham Forest.

Poyet said: "If everything goes allright I think they are going to be available for Saturday.

"Vicente was just a kind of precaution (missing Coventry), because he was training so hard and running so much to get back his fitness that he finished the week exhausted, with aches and pains everywhere."