To say that Saturday’s match is a rather important one for Palace is something of an understatement. After last week’s heroic performance against league leaders Norwich, a win up at the Hawthorns would leave us with a very realistic shout of moving into the play-offs over the Easter period. Defeat, meanwhile, would leave even the optimists reaching for their calculators.
Manager Iain Dowie finds himself with a selection headache ahead of the clash with West Brom, since he has practically a full squad to choose from.
Mark Hudson will likely keep his place in central defence, despite confirmation this week that he will definitely return to Fulham after the Easter Monday match with West Ham.
Mikele Leigertwood put in an assured display in midfield against the Canaries last week, but is likely to make way for the return of Aki Riihilahti. The tough-tackling midfielder has been ruled out for several weeks with an ankle injury, but is expected to be fit to play tomorrow.
Ben Watson may find himself a place on the bunch, after coming through another run-out with the reserves this week.
Probable Palace XI:
Vaesen
Butterfield Hudson Popovic Granville
Routledge Riihilahti Hughes Gray
Johnson Shipperley