Albion are reeling from the loss of Tommy Elphick for a key run of fixtures.

The in-form centre half is facing hernia surgery for the second time in a matter of months.

He will miss an important sequence of matches, starting with tonight's FA Cup first round replay at home to Cheltenham.

As revealed yesterday at theargus.co.uk, Elphick had to pull out of training yesterday after missing last Wednesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy victory over Cheltenham but returning for Saturday's 2-2 draw at Leyton Orient.

The 20-year-old, who had a double hernia operation in the summer, is now resigned to a further spell on the sidelines.

Elphick's dad, Gary, said: "I don't know if it's a new hernia or a recurrence of the old one but it is a similar thing to what has happened to Alex Revell.

"When Tommy had it last season he was able to play through it but in the second half of the first game against Cheltenham and against Orient on Saturday I could tell.

"He went on a long run to chase one of their guys and I just knew he was carrying something.

"The pain is too much this time. He said he is in absolute agony. He may be going in on Thursday.

"It has been mentioned about sending him to Germany, where they can come back from operations in no time at all.

"But it will probably be done normally, in which case I think he will be out for about three weeks."

Elphick has been oustanding since forcing his way into the team at the start of the season.

His absence could not have come at a worse time, with Albion preparing for games against several of their fellow League One promotion hopefuls and looking to reach the potentially lucrative third round stage of the FA Cup.

Gary added: "He is a bit down. When you are in a decent vein of form you want to keep going but thse things happen. He'll cope with it.

"It's a shame, because there are some big games coming up."

Guy Butters, Adam El-Abd and Joel Lynch are now vying for the centre half spots tonight, with Andrew Whing expected to return from a one-match suspension at right-back.

Assistant manager Dean White is guarding against complacency following last week's 4-1 victory over Cheltenham, who are still bottom of League One.

"It's important we go into the game with the right frame of mind and we have emphasised that to the players," White said.

"On the back of a great run we don't want to throw it away. It's important to keep the run going and it is important for the club financially."

Who should replace Tommy Elphick in the centre of defence?