
ROBERTO Di Matteo is not concerned with his side’s recent lapse in discipline as he prepares to reshuffle his team for tonight’s game at West Ham.
The Baggies boss is without Gonzalo Jara and Youssouf Mulumbu for the trip to east London, with several others struggling with injuries.
Steven Reid was not fully fit for Sunday’s game against Manchester City but should be fit.
Nicky Shorey (ankle) is also struggling, while Ishmael Miller has a thigh problem again which will need a scan.
Miller was walking freely yesterday when he left the training ground but his injury, sustained during training on Monday, is yet another unwelcome setback.
Di Matteo, meanwhile, is not too concerned with his side’s recent dip in the disciplinary table, which has seen Albion take three red cards in the last two games – one of which was rescinded – and collect seven yellows in the same period.
“The Jara one was a bad one, the Pablo one was rescinded because it was never a red card and Youssouf Mulumbu didn’t realise he’d got the first yellow card and wouldn’t have gone in like that had he been aware of that fact,” said Di Matteo.
“You can see on TV that Youssouf turns his back to talk to Giles Barnes when he gets the first yellow and there were other players around.
“Our disciplinary record has been pretty good until the last two games and if that keeps me in the Premier League then that’s all that matters.
“We’re not a dirty team at all so there’s no issue.”
Speaking about Miller’s latest setback, Di Matteo admitted the striker’s prognosis would be clearer following tests.
