Albion are sweating on the fitness of two key players ahead of Friday night's home game against Port Vale.

Captain Danny Cullip (groin) and Richard Carpenter (hamstring) were unable to train on Thursday and manager Mark McGhee rates the pair doubtful.

The last time Cullip and Carpenter were both missing from the starting line-up was in May 2001, when Micky Adams fielded a weakened side for a goalless draw at Halifax with the Third Division title already in the bag.

McGhee said: "It's a shame because we are on a winning run in the League and we want to keep that going.

"We might lose those two, but there are other lads who are chomping at the bit and they will obviously get their turn."

If Carpenter is unfit then Zesh Rehman, now fully recovered from a virus, will retain his place in the centre of midfield.

McGhee is expected to extend the loans of Rehman and Mark Yeates from Fulham and Spurs respectively.

McGhee said: "The thing that has pleased me is Zesh's reaction to coming back after his illness.

"I thought in the second half at Queens Park Rangers he played well, but particularly this week in training he's looked the best since I've been here.

"He's looking as if he has got the appetite for it, as if he is trying to show us he wants to stay and that is reassuring."

John Piercy is also back in contention following a one-match ban.

The suspension coincided with a hamstring injury sustained after the former Spurs midfielder scored his first senior goal in the last home match against Wrexham.

"I've done a lot of strengthening work to make sure the hamstring is right," Piercy said.

"I've had a hamstring problem before and the worst thing you can do is come back too early, because although they feel okay they haven't actually properly healed.

"It's not up to me whether I am involved tomorrow night, but hopefully I will be. That's what I have come back for.

"It's a big game. If we win it we are going to be right up there near the top."