Nicky Shorey ready to step up for Cech

Albion new-boy Nicky Shorey today insisted he is ready to step in at Liverpool on Sunday as Marek Cech handed the Baggies a fitness scare.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo is sweating on Cech's fitness for the trip to Anfield after he left Leyton Orient last night on cruches after picking up an ankle injury.

The Baggies are hopeful that the Slovakia international will be fit to face the Reds but Shorey, who made his first Baggies start at Brisbane Road, is standing by to deputise.

"I will always be ready to go in," said Shorey. "I love playing football and it would be nice to get an opportunity at some stage.

"But we have our fingers crossed that Marek will be alright.

"It's definitely a case of being patient. You can't come in and expect to play straight away, especially after the season the lads had last season.

"They deserve the chance to start.

"I won't grumble about that. It's a long season and hopefully I will get a chance.

"But it's all about the squad and trying to achieve something together."

Shorey played 90 minutes at left-back against his former club as Albion won 2-0 to reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

And the ex-Villa man admitted he needed the run-out. "I really enjoyed it," he said. "I haven't actually played in a while so it was nice to get a game under my belt.

"The last game I played was against Benfica in pre-season and I only played 45 minutes so it's been a while since I had a decent run-out.

"It's been three or four weeks and that's not ideal, so it was nice to be back out there."

The Baggies will assess Cech's injury later today but Roberto Di Matteo's staff are optimistic about his chances of playing on Merseyside.

First team coach Michael Appleton said: "Marek isn't too bad. It was more precautionary when we took him off."

Winger Jerome Thomas is already a doubt for Sunday's match, also with an ankle problem. Teenager Sam Mantom today targeted more first-team action after enjoying a winning Albion debut at Leyton Orient.

The 18-year-old from Wordsley played 90 minutes last night.

And the midfielder, who has been with the Baggies since the age of 12, is keen for more opportunities but he admitted he must produce special training ground displays to make the Premier League squad.

He said:"I have to keep doing well in training first and keep impressing the gaffer if I want him to pick me ahead of these senior pros. Hopefully last night has done me a bit of good."