Friday 20 October 2017 11:33, UK
West Brom manager Tony Pulis is keeping his fingers crossed that either Ben Foster or Boaz Myhill will be fit for their trip to Southampton on Saturday.
Both of the club's two senior goalkeepers have been struggling with injuries, with Foster out of action since the end of September while Myhill picked up a problem at Leicester on Monday.
The Albion boss accepts that third-choice keeper Alex Palmer lacks big-match experience, but he explained Foster and Myhill have improved this week.
Pulis said: "We've had Ben's scans back. Ben trained a little yesterday. Boaz also trained on Thursday and both will do a little bit more today.
"We hope one of them will be fit enough to start but don't know which one.
"It's going to be a big 48 hours for us, in respect of the two goalkeepers.
"Ben's been told to get on with it. The concern has been lessened after what the specialist has said.
"With Ben it's his knee, Boaz is more muscular. But it's much brighter than it appeared after the game on Monday.
"Ben's had three major operations on his knees and he's one of the best keepers in the Premier League."
As for giving Palmer a top-tier debut at St Mary's, Pulis added: "Alex hasn't played any league football.
"He's had the odd cup game - and everyone has to start somewhere - but it would be difficult to start in the Premier League.
"We've got 13 players out on loan at the moment, learning their trade, some playing lower down the divisions, and we would have liked Alex to have had that experience."
Regarding injury problems for the outfield players, Pulis went on: "The three main injuries are Hal Robson-Kanu, James Morrison and Oliver Burke, who we need to get back and playing.
"They won't be ready this weekend, but hopefully Manchester City."
