Bristol City v West Brom: Who's out and who's a doubt with big defensive concern

The Baggies were left sweating on the fitness of star defensive Torbjorn Heggem after Tony Mowbray confirmed to the Express & Star the Norwegian rolled his ankle in Saturday's defeat to Sunderland.

Any potential loss is compounded by the fact Albion also lost Mason Holgate in the build-up to the clash against the Black Cats.

The Baggies were also dealt the tough news at the end of last week that star January recruit Isaac Price would be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

But it is defensively in particular that Albion are sweating on - could it mean a formation tweak or might defensive-minded midfielder Ousmane Diakite be drafted into a makeshift backline?

Here is a run through of fitness latest ahead of the Ashton Gate clash.

Isaac Price - ankle

Mowbray revealed after Saturday’s defeat that the Northern Ireland international damaged his ankle ligaments to a grade two level in training the previous day.

The head coach was unable to give an exact timeframe on Price’s recovery and did not say if he would play again this season - but such a setback is unlikely to see Price return for at least a couple of weeks.

Torbjorn Heggem - ankle

It is game of waiting and crossing fingers when it comes to Heggem’s ankle discomfort.

The Norwegian rolled his ankle in the first half against Sunderland and was in serious pain by half-time, though continued until around minute 80.

He went for a scan afterwards, and there was no pre-match press conference on Monday, so Heggem’s fitness situation shall be cleared up in Bristol on Tuesday. Albion are short of options and will hope the key defender can possibly play a part.

Mason Holgate - muscle 

Like Price, loan defender Holgate injured himself in the build up to Sunderland, but he did lesser damage on a leg muscle, Mowbray did not specify the exact setback.

It is unlikely Holgate will have made a recovery in time for Bristol City, with Watford on Saturday a stretch too. It could be the case that the Easter Bank Holiday double-header is more feasible.

Semi Ajayi - hamstring

Mowbray did not give a clear update on the status of long-term absentees last Thursday, other than Ajayi and Jed Wallace are continuing their work with the medical department.

Both have been out since February with their muscle injuries but have been working on the grass for a few weeks now. A phased return to full training should not be too far away.

Jed Wallace - calf

Like Ajayi, club captain Wallace is hopefully nearing the end of his rehab having not played for the best part of two months since he started at Millwall.

Both Ajayi and Wallace could offer useful depth at this stage of the season.

Josh Maja - leg

Unquestionably the player Albion have missed most, 12-goal top scorer Maja has not kicked a ball under Mowbray having not featured since early January.

 It says plenty about the Nigerian’s prolific first half of the season, and the division’s lack of quality this year, that Maja is still among the Championship’s top scorers.

 Mowbray said Maja may not return until the play-offs - if his side get there. Having him back any earlier would be an achievement and big boost.