Team news

Morrison back for Baggies West Brom midfielder James Morrison returns to face former club Middlesbrough at what is certain to a partisan Hawthorns following the club`s return to the Premier League last weekend.

Morrison missed the promotion-clinching 3-2 win at Doncaster nursing tight hamstrings but is now back in training and likely to be included in Roberto Di Matteo`s matchday 18.

However, the injured trio of right-back Gianni Zuiverloon (thigh), winger Jerome Thomas (hamstring) and defender Gonzalo Jara (broken metatarsal) continue to miss out.

Striker Roman Bednar needs to undergo a hernia operation but will do so in the summer, meaning he is available to face a Boro side who will be looking for all three points to keep alive their hopes of a play-off spot.

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has not yet given up hope of being allowed to select midfielder Gary O'Neil for the do-or-die clash.

The Teessiders are engaged in negotiations with the 26-year-old's former club Portsmouth over the #1million they will have to hand over should be play one more game to complete a century for the north-east club.

O'Neil has missed the last two matches as a result of the clause in the transfer deal but Boro are hopeful of reaching a compromise as they attempt to fight their way into the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Rhys Williams will be available at The Hawthorns despite an ongoing pelvic problem while full-back Andrew Taylor (groin) could return. Jeremie Aliadiere (broken toe) is back in training but the game is likely to come too soon for him.

Emanuel Pogatetz (knee), Seb Hines (ankle and medial ligament), Willo Flood (cruciate tear), Tony McMahon (stress fracture of the foot) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) remain on the sidelines.

West Brom vs Middlesbrough

Last modified 14:27 21/04/10

Baggies too strong for Boro boys Strike duo Simon Cox and Roman Bednar led West Brom to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough, leaving Newcastle needing a point in Monday's clash with Plymouth to secure the Coca-Cola Championship trophy.

The Baggies went into the game knowing they needed a victory to keep their slim title hopes alive and they grabbed the three points courtesy of strikes from Cox and Bednar.

Despite already sealing promotion, Albion pushed forward from the start and could have taken an early lead through Cox but his 20-yard strike was well saved by Brad Jones.

The Australian stopper was called into action once again moments later, saving Bednar's deflected effort. Boro tried to counter West Brom's early pressure but their assault continued as Chris Brunt forced yet another save from Jones.

The north-east club's defensive woes remained and they nearly paid the price in the 29th minute when Robert Koren robbed on-loan Tottenham defender Kyle Naughton before playing in Bednar who rattled the crossbar after cleverly working an opening.

Gordon Strachan's counter-attacking was almost rewarded minutes later, though, as they turned defence into attack allowing Barry Robson to race through only to see his shot blocked by Gabriel Tamas.

The visitors again threatened just before the interval as Chris Killen cleverly found Scott McDonald who looped an effort just over Scott Carson's crossbar.

Despite the warnings, Roberto Di Matteo persisted with their attacking approach and they took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Cox's 10th goal of the season. A hopeful long ball found Bednar who chested into the path of Cox, allowing the former Swindon man to jink past Stephen McManus and fire an emphatic strike into the top-left corner.

Albion continued where they left off at the start of the second half as Cox saw his effort blocked after an excellent one-two with Bednar.

They doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Cox nodded Koren's cross into the path of Bednar who made no mistake from five yards.

As the game wore on, Middlesbrough's players must have feared a repeat of the 5-0 drubbing they suffered in the reverse fixture as the Baggies continued to dominate.

The midlands club nearly made it three midway through the half but Jones was again on hand to deny Koren. The 29-year-old Slovenia international turned provider moments later, as his clever through-ball found Bednar who saw his effort tipped over the bar by the impressive Jones.

After another couple of fine saves from the 28-year-old, Boro could have given themselves a sniff in the 85th minute but Leroy Lita could not get the ball under control allowing Carson to collect.