Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo draws up new battle plan

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo admitted today he could adapt his team selection on Saturday to counter the physical challenge provided by bogey opponents Stoke.

The Baggies look to get out of their mini-dip in results against a team who have won six and drawn one of the last seven clashes between the clubs.

Albion fans have to search back to a Scott Dobie winner seven years ago to recall their last defeat of their rivals from the Potteries.

Backed by a sell-out 2,800 following from Stoke heading for the Smethwick End, Tony Pulis' men will arrive full of beans after beating Liverpool last weekend.

And Di Matteo admitted Saturday's opponents will bring a challenge unfamiliar to many of his team.

"They are just very difficult to play against," he said.

"The difficulty is that we've got six players away and they'll basically only be training with us on Friday morning, so there is a difficulty there.

"We always do some training related to the way the opposition play. It will be the same for this Saturday against Stoke. We will do some special work with them. It's going to be a battle.

"Kenwynne Jones is very difficult to handle. He's a very physical, big player.

"I think they've done okay. They haven't played many games together and it takes time to get to know each other and get a better understanding.

"But I've been thinking about adapting the team. It's a possibility getting big players in will affect my thinking."

Albion's head coach is eager to point out that his comments should not be interpreted as a criticism of Stoke.

But he is aware, too, of Albion's black record against them and is hopeful Gabriel Tamas will be able to take up the slack caused by the continuing absence of injured Jonas Olsson at the heart of the defence.

Di Matteo added: "When Jonas is missing he takes over the role a bit of leading the line. We've been very happy with Tamas' leadership in Jonas' absence."

Tamas has moved quickly to squash reports in his native Romania that he could be leaving Albion in January — for Chelsea.

The fanciful speculation, continuing a running battle between Tamas and the Romanian media, suggested he would be recruited to resolve Chelsea's defensive crisis. But Jon Kirtland, the player's British representative said last night: "I can promise 100 per cent that there is nothing in these stories."