Ex Leeds United man among West Brom's injury doubts, Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher the one to watch

Bartley, who spent the 2016/17 season as a Leeds player, is likely to be missing tonight, along with two others according to Express and Star reporter Joseph Masi.

"Albion have a few injury doubts, Kyle Bartley picked up a niggle in training around a fortnight ago and hasn't been fit enough to return since," he said.

"I think the Leeds game will come just too soon for him. Striker Hal Robson-Kanu is also out as is left-back Conor Townsend."

The Baggies are under new management, Sam Allardyce is set to take charge of his third game since replacing Slaven Bilic and although his time with the players has been short, the impact has been noticeable in a defeat to Aston Villa and Sunday's 1-1 draw at champions Liverpool.

"The players have actually adapted to Allardyce's tactics very well despite limited time on the training ground," said Masi.

"Against Everton and Crystal Palace they had a man sent off in the first half and ultimately collapsed to 5-1 defeats. The same thing happened against Villa in Allardyce's first game. But this time there was no collapse, with the Baggies digging into keep the score at 1-0 until the final 10 minutes when they then threw bodies forward. In end they lost 3-0 but that was only because they had got themselves in a positon where they could gamble to try and get something out the game.

"The same kind of plan worked to even greater effect at Liverpool. The Reds had 82 per cent possession in the first half with Albion often keeping 11 men behind the ball. But they only conceded once and that meant they could be more adventurous as the game wore on and they ultimately snatched a point.

"Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has actually made more saves than any other goalkeeper in Europe as it stands. But he only had to make one really against Liverpool. And that's because, all of a sudden, Albion are much harder to break down."

The middle of the park is where Leeds United encountered uncharacteristic issues on Sunday against Burnley, failing to build from the back through sloppy passing and it will be a key area in tonight's game. Allardyce packed the midfield against Liverpool and may well do so again tonight.

To achieve defensive solidity in the middle he can count upon a player adept at stopping the opposition. But Conor Gallagher, on loan from Chelsea, can do much more than that, as Leeds discovered in their game at Swansea late last season when he impressed for the hosts in defeat.

"Gallagher is undoubtedly Albion's key man in midfield," said Masi.

"He's stepped up to the Premier League with no issue at all. The 20-year-old has incredible energy and is great at getting about the pitch and breaking up play. But his passing is also very good and he has also started chipping in with goals too. He is often compared to Frank Lampard who was his hero growing up. They are obviously big boots to fill. But Gallagher is a wonderfully well-rounded footballer who looks destined to go right to the top."