Jonas Olsson set to get nod over James Chester

Albion boss Tony Pulis hinted today that Jonas Olsson will be picked ahead of James Chester for the Arsenal game because Olivier Giroud is playing.

Gareth McAuley is suspended for tomorrow's match at The Hawthorns after picking up a red card at Old Trafford last time out.

Chester was bought from Hull in the summer for £8 million but has only started one league game so far, against Man City on the opening weekend.

McAuley's ban appeared to have given the 26-year-old the perfect chance to stake his claim, but Pulis talked down his chances.

"The big thing tomorrow is Giroud, his power and pace," said the head coach.

"James is not a big centre-half, he's a small centre-half.

"If Walcott were playing maybe that would be [the right fit].

"It's something we're talking about at the moment. It's horses for courses."

Albion's most expensive defender of all time is unhappy at being left on the sidelines, especially considering Wales are playing in the European Championships at the end of the season.

Pulis is pleased the centre-back is eager to play.

"He wants to play, he wants to be involved," said the Albion boss.

"It's lovely that players today still want to play.

"There's a lot of players that get embroiled in squads.

"We have to name 25 players in a squad from window to window and if you look at it there's more players not playing then are playing.

"Some of those players are quite happy not to play and to hang around and say nothing.

"There are other players that want to play and James wants to play.

"I can see more so this year why he wants to play because obviously he wants to be ready for Chris and for the adventure Wales are going to experience in the summer."