West Brom will be without their captain, Chris Brunt, for tomorrow's visit to Saints after the midfielder suffered a knee injury.

The 28-year-old sustained the problem towards the end of last week's 1-1 draw with Newcastle, and manager Steve Clarke confirmed he will be absent at St Mary's.

“He's not going to make it this week and it is fingers crossed for next week,” said the Baggies boss.

West Brom could also be without right-back Billy Jones, who scored against the Magpies, after he sustained a gashed leg in the same game, although Clarke said he is “hopeful” he will make it.

There is some good news for the Premier League's eighth-placed side, as striker Peter Odemwingie, who has missed the last two matches with a knee injury, is available again.

Odemwingie scored both goals when West Brom beat Saints 2-0 at the Hawthorns earlier this season.

Fellow forward Romelu Lukaku is expecting a much harder test than the Baggies had that night in November.

“Southampton are playing very good football,” said the on-loan Chelsea man. “I saw the game they played against Reading (when Saints won 2-0).

“They are playing differently to the way they played at the start of the season. At the beginning of the season there was a lot of space to play, now there isn't.

“They are very close and when they lose the ball they press to recover the ball in six seconds all the time.

“They are dangerous up front in Lambert especially and Rodriguez, who is scoring a lot. It will not be easy but it's up to us, we have our own qualities.

“I think they will really get at us but we have to react and take the initiative to win the game. The first goal will be really important.”