Pascal Gross is hoping that midfield general Dale Stephens will not be a big loss when Albion travel to Crystal Palace a week today.

The 30-year-old picked up his fifth booking of the season when he brought down Adama Traore in the latter stages of the 2-2 draw with Wolves.

The caution means he will be suspended against Albion’s fiercest rivals at Selhurst Park for the Sky televised game.

Stephens has been a key figure for Albion under boss Graham Potter, starting every one of their 16 games in the Premier League so far this campaign.

Gross admitted: “He’s a really big miss for us.

“He is important for us but we hope that on that day he will not be a big miss.

“That is what we will try to do, that will be what we have to do.

“As a squad, everybody wants to show their quality.

“He is a very important player for us but on this day, hopefully, we can also show that we can play without him.”