West Bromwich Albion hope Roman Bednar will be fit to face Bristol City after the Czech striker became the latest victim of the club's injury jinx.

The big striker was struck down with a back injury in midweek and failed a fitness test before Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Cardiff.

It meant the Baggies effectively had just six substitutes as Bednar was named on the bench despite being ruled out, but head coach Roberto Di Matteo hopes the in-form hit-man will be back tomorrow.

"Roman has a problem with his back, but we're hopeful he can recover for the next game," said the Italian.

Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will return after suspension. But Marek Cech and Ishmael Miller will still be missing along with James Morrison, Giles Barnes, Abdoulaye Meite and the suspended Jerome Thomas, who this week had an extra game added to his original four-match ban. Di Matteo still hopes to add a loan signing to his squad before tomorrow – Wigan's former Hawthorns midfielder Jason Koumas is said to be one target – but so far no deals have been done.

The injuries have forced Di Matteo to shuffle his pack and Graham Dorrans, who cut City's defence to ribbons at The Hawthorns in November, is likely to be deployed in a holding midfield role, with Chris Brunt moving into the centre and Andy Slory starting on the wing.