Jay Rodriguez can step up to the plate in Dwight Gayle's absence, insists Jimmy Shan

Gayle will miss the rest of the season after being shown a red card in the first leg.

Because he was sent off for two bookable offences, the Baggies cannot appeal the decision.

The suspension means the much-loved Newcastle loanee may have played his final game for Albion.

But caretaker boss Jimmy Shan is confident Rodriguez, who played on the left at Villa Park, can flourish in a central role.

Gayle scored his 24th goal of the season on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat to Villa, but Rodriguez has already bagged 22 goals for the Baggies this season.

“Dwight is a massive player for us but Jay has been very productive and hasn’t played an awful lot of minutes this season in central areas," said Shan.

“So it gives Jay the opportunity to get a more central role, and he can be a big threat from there.

“And then it presents opportunities for other people. We’ve got a big squad and a squad of high quality and the players play with a mentality that they’re waiting for their opportunity."

Albion only have one senior striker available for Tuesday's game after Hal Robson-Kanu also picked up a red card in the final game of the regular season.

Shan also had to take Craig Dawson and Stefan Johansen off during Saturday's game.

He expects the defender will be available tomorrow, but isn't sure Johansen will be.

“Stefan came off with a tight calf and if that continues to be too sore there’s the potential that he won’t be in the starting XI," said Shan.

“So there are opportunities for every squad member who have done things right from day one in pre-season to come back into the fold.

“I fully expect Craig to be OK and be back in the team. He’s had sickness and dizziness before in training but it passes very quickly.

“It’s not a regular thing he’s had. He’s had it once or twice, hence the medical department trying to give him a tablet to rectify it and get him back on the pitch.

"He just had a bit of a dizzy spell. I will get an update from the doctor but there are no signs of concussion or any sign that he’s taken a blow to the head.

“He was just very sick at half-time and we had to make the change."