Preston v West Brom: Who's out and who's a doubt

Carlos Corberan has seen backline options decimated in recent weeks, with injuries to three centre-halves, as well as injury and suspension at full-back.

The Baggies look to improve on a run of eight draws in nine games with the trip to Deepdale, where they face a Preston side winless in eight games and down in 19th in the Championship.

The visiting head coach has this week seen improvement in key defender Kyle Bartley, who made an earlier-than-scheduled return to the starting XI at Sunderland in midweek, in a contest that ended 0-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Bartley could be in line to feature from the off once again from Albion, in what would be a boost for the Baggies, following his six-week lay-off following knee surgery. Albion also welcome Darnell Furlong back from a one-match ban at Deepdale.

Corberan gave other injury updates on Thursday in his pre-match press conference, with midfielder Ousmane Diakite - who was due to start on Tuesday but felt discomfort in the warm-up - and Grady Diangana all featuring in the boss' updates. 

See the latest round-up of Baggies fitness news below.

Kyle Bartley - knee (85 per cent chance of featuring)

The important defender missed six games after undergoing minor knee surgery in the wake of a draw at Oxford in October.

He finally returned to training at the back end of last week and was first considered to make a matchday squad at Sunderland. Bartley was only due to be on the bench but had to fill in at the 11th hour for the stricken Diakite. He played the first 45 minutes and impressed.

Corberan said Bartley's condition has improved since the trip to Sunderland, meaning the defender is in contention to start again - and possibly feature for longer than the 45 minutes he played the other night. It will depend on Corberan's decision, and the advice from his physical and medical staff, whether Bartley returns.

Ousmane Diakite - knee (zero per cent chance)

The summer signing endured some cruel luck in the week as he was due for just a second Albion start but felt the recurrence of knee pain in the warm-up in Sunderland.

He has done some minor training since the trip north east but is not fit enough to return to contention for Preston.

Grady Diangana - calf (zero per cent)

A scan on the attacker's calf showed up no injury but Diangana is still struggling with pain from the area. Diangana missed a lot of pre-season with a calf injury.

Corberan ruled the DR Congo international out of the Preston trip and said he feels the attacker is "cautious" after the injury earlier in the year.

Paddy McNair - hamstring (zero per cent)

The loan defender has been out for more than a month now and is around a month away from a return, though his loan will also end at the end of December.

Daryl Dike - hamstring (zero per cent)

Baggies frontman is not expected to be back in contention to feature until into January after the muscle injury picked up on his return to training following a long Achilles lay-off.

Semi Ajayi - hamstring (zero per cent)

Corberan has given a March timeframe for the Nigeria international's return. The centre-back, who started the season as a regular, has also been missing for more than a month and underwent surgery.