Adam El-Abd insists his Albion defensive partner will not be holding back at Charlton tomorrow.

Tommy Ephick is a booking away from a ban and has Gordon Greer breathing down his neck following the skipper’s recovery from a calf injury. But El-Abd does not expect the risk of suspension to affect Elphick’s performance at The Valley.

He said: “Obviously it’s on your mind. You know how many you are on and you know there is a ban coming up when you are on four but, once you are playing, everything goes out of the window.

“It’s one of those things. Realistically you are not going to go through a season without five bookings playing at centre half. That’s the way it is.”

El-Abd has already been suspended this season for collecting five yellow cards but came straight back into the side at the expense of teenager Lewis Dunk in last Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Bournemouth.

He said: “When ever you are out of the side for one reason or another – suspension, injury or lack of form – you are always anxious. That is where everyone wants to be, in the first eleven, so I was pleased to get my place back.

“Unfortunately it didn’t quite go our way but the performance was there, which is encouraging.”