Ashley Barnes has admitted he needs to cut out the “stupid” bookings before they cost him a place in the Albion side.

The versatile attacking player is an option for the centre-forward berth against Birmingham City on Saturday after Craig Mackail-Smith suffered a hamstring injury.

Barnes, a key part of Gus Poyet ’s game plan, has scored three goals this season but also picked up four yellow cards.

Another against Blues would rule him out of Tuesday’s visit from Ipswich, when Mackail-Smith is likely to still be absent.

Barnes told The Argus: “I need to stay as long as possible not getting any more stupid bookings. I need to stop doing stupid things in stupid areas.

“Obviously I can foul in the right areas to take one for the team but I keep getting stupid bookings. I need to stop that.”

Barnes was booked after a fracas with Watford’s Daniel Pudil when he admitted that, figuratively at least, he “saw red” recently.

He was cautioned for fouls late on against Barnsley and Burnley when the games were won.

The Albion No.9 scored against Birmingham at The Amex last season but said: “We feel like we have got a better squad now.

“We need to keep winning and see how far we can go on this run.”