Source: Team_Talk
Albion looking to narrow Toon lead
But Roberto Di Matteo's second-placed Baggies will be without striker Luke Moore and winger Jerome Thomas at The Hawthorns.[LNB]Former Aston Villa forward Moore incurred a thigh problem in the 2-2 draw at Derby on Saturday while recent acquisition Thomas has not shaken off a hamstring injury.[LNB]"We hope Luke won't be out for long but tomorrow will come too soon for him," Di Matteo confirmed. "We'll have to see how Jerome and Luke progress over the next few days."[LNB]West Brom, seeking a return to the Premier League at the first attempt, have cracked 17 goals in their last five outings.[LNB]An extension of such free-scoring form will offer them an opportunity to jump onto the coat-tails of Newcastle, who do not play until Wednesday night.[LNB]However, Cardiff addressed their recent slump of one point in four matches with a weekend success over Preston which hauled them back into the top six.[LNB]The Bluebirds have concerns of their own, however, with Jay Bothroyd suspended and the division's joint-leading scorer Michael Chopra (stomach upset) and Joe Ledley (groin) both doubtful.[LNB]Sought-after midfielder Ledley has a long-standing hip complaint but this appears to be a fresh concern.[LNB]Cardiff manager Dave Jones said: "Joe, if you put him on a scale of one to three and three being the worst, Joe's a stage one.[LNB]"And Joe, or any other player at this football club, wouldn't play if they had an injury.[LNB]"If there's anything wrong with any player, no matter how small, if they can't play and they can't do their job then they come under the auspices of the medical team."[LNB][LNB]
