West Brom hopeful on defender return after blow with attacker to return

The 31-year-old limped out of last weekend's victory over Oxford, just his second appearance after a previous long-term lay-off of more than three months.

Centre-back Ajayi will miss several weeks with the muscle setback, but with two months of the regular Championship campaign to go, boss Tony Mowbray is optimistic he can return as an option for the final games of the play-off chase.

"We're disappointed for him really and not necessarily the team," Mowbray said. "Bartley is back for the weekend and looking strong and positive, hopefully refreshed and energised.

"Semi will be back hopefully in a few weeks ready for the run-in.

"I'm pretty sure he will (be back), we've got eight or nine weeks of the season left so I am pretty sure he will be back."

Albion do have the timely return from suspension for Kyle Bartley for Saturday lunchtime's game at Leeds.

Central defender Bartley missed three matches due to a red card after full-time of the recent home win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Attacker Karlan Grant is fit to feature at Elland Road after missing two of the last three games through illness.

Mowbray said Grant had trained well on his comeback. Club captain Jed Wallace will not return for a few weeks with the calf issue he picked up at Millwall two games ago.

Mowbray said of Grant: "He's been back in training and looked good in training today. But he did have the illness, have a few days where he felt fine, came off the bench at Millwall and struggled again as if he didn't clear it from his body.

"He looked positive, fast and sharp in training today.

"I like Karlan Grant. Sometimes it's a toss up between Mikey (Johnston) and Karlan Grant. Can we get them both in the team? Yes, if we play a certain formation. It's more option for us. In football whatever team you pick is to win."