Tony Mowbray gives fresh Torbjorn Heggem update with blow on West Brom duo

Heggem missed out of Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Bristol City having rolled his ankle in the previous game against Sunderland.

The Norwegian is yet to have trained this week but boss Tony Mowbray said the centre-back could feature as long as he trains on Friday, as expected.

The midweek defeat was the first time the defender has missed a Championship game this term.

Albion are set to be without midfield duo Ousmane Diakite and Tammer Bany to face the Hornets. Diakite injured his ankle late on at Ashton Gate and Bany had a scan on a hamstring complaint on Thursday.

Mowbray said: "I don't think Diakite is going to make it. Heggem we'll have to wait and see, but it'll be close. He didn't do any training on Thursday. Bany has been away for a scan on a hamstring.

"Friday is the day we make decisions on whether they train, because if they don't train Friday then they won't play.

"With Diakite it's an ankle ligament injury. It was in a challenge. There was a bit more force. Heggem hasn't trained, and the bottom line is that he has to train Friday. Isaac (Price) is fine."

Boss Mowbray, whose side have lost three in a row and are now five points adrift of the play-offs, gave no further update on top scorer Josh Maja, who was projected to be out until a potential play-off appearance.

Long-term absentees Jed Wallace and Semi Ajayi stepped up their rehabilitation and played a part in training on Thursday and could return to contention during the Easter double-header next week.

"Ajayi and Wallace, are on the grass," Mowbray said. "They actually joined in a bit with training on Thursday, doing some passing and possession. They're not in contention for this weekend, but maybe the Easter period - we'll wait and see."

Mowbray added: "You get to a period in the season now where you have to consider taking risks - provided the player is happy to, of course. Whether that's to be injected, or heavily strapped, or knowing that if it goes that it'll be season over for you.

"In certain positions we may have to take a risk. Other positions maybe not, but with some areas we might have to."

Albion appealed the red card and subsequent suspension for midfielder Jayson Molumby in the closing stages at Ashton Gate on Tuesday, prior to the Robins' last-gasp winner, on grounds of wrongful dismissal.

The Irishman will serve a three-match ban if the Football Association stand by their call.

"We appealed. I didn't have any input into that, if the club felt it worth appealing then so be it," Mowbray said. "I've watched it back and I can understand why you would - he actually pushed him over with his hip, jumped into a challenge but fell short of making the challenge.

"I think the referee saw the aggression of a challenge he didn't end up making. He 'hipped' him over. There were no studs shown, nothing which could've damaged the boy, he just kind of barged him over.

"I know it's tough for the referees - the game is getting faster and faster, but watching it back it's probably the wrong decision in the context of the game."