Steve Coppell is sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Michel Kuipers ahead of the New Year's Day clash with Wimbledon.

Albion's Dutch custodian played last Saturday against Burnley with a recurrence of thigh trouble, sustained in the first half at Norwich on Boxing Day.

Kuipers was stiff and sore on Sunday and physio Malcom Stuart thinks the problem is back related.

"It's not the injury he had before, but it's in the area and Malcolm thinks if he kicks continuously on it then he is going to do it again, which would leave us really exposed," Coppell said.

"In many ways I may be forced into doing something even though to all intents and purposes he is still fit. We can get away with the goalkicks but we can't get away with the backpasses and that is an inevitable part of the game now.

"If on every backpass the opposition know it's not going to get far that is a big plus for them and if our defence know they have got to do everything possible not to backpass then that is also an advantage to the opposition, so I've got to weigh that up very carefully."

Albion seem sure to be without Shoreham-born midfielder Simon Rodger for the second match running.

The swelling has not gone down much on his broken toe and he is having another scan.

A proposed run-out for Paul Kitson, who returned to the bench against Burnley, and Dean Blackwell in a friendly at Brentford yesterday was rained off.

Wimbledon have not tasted victory for three matches after winning six of the previous eight, but the 28-goal partnership of David Connolly and Neil Shipperley is the most prolific in the First Division.