Albion are banking on another big performance from Shane Duffy in their bid for a fourth clean sheet out of six at West Brom.

The towering Republic of Ireland central defender currently leads the Premier League table for clearances with 173.

One hundred and thirty-one of them have been headed clearances, which is also the highest total in the top flight.

Boss Chris Hughton said: “I know what he gives us and how desperate he is to want to defend well. It doesn’t surprise me for what he does and what he does for us.”

Hughton is aware of the danger of next-to-bottom West Brom dragging his side closer to the relegation places if they end a 20-match winless league run today on the back of an FA Cup victory at Exeter.

“We have to be very guarded,” Hughton told The Argus. “You look at their team on paper and they have got a very good side, a very capable side.

“I think it will be a very difficult game for us. I would think no different now than if we were going there and they were on the end of having won the last three or four games.

“It’s a difficult place to go anyway but I think it will be a very tough game.”

Former West Brom youngster Izzy Brown’s return to parent club Chelsea after sustaining anterior cruciate knee ligament damage in Monday’s FA win over Crystal Palace doubles Albion’s loan options in this month’s transfer window.