Albion were today facing up to a coincidental injury blow which will keep out back-up striker Mark McCammon until early November.

McCammon will have an operation next week to remove a piece of bone from his left ankle.

Defender Jason Dodd has already undergone keyhole surgery on the same problem.

McCammon was given the news he feared by a specialist in London yesterday.

Physio Malcolm Stuart revealed: "He is going to have an operation next Wednesday.

"He aggravated it at Shrewsbury and we tried to settle it down but it's not going to.

"He's got to have the piece of bone taken out, so we are looking at about six weeks."

Stuart, meanwhile, has been reported to the FA by referee Lee Probert for derogatory comments to the officials during Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Championship leaders Sheffield United.

Stuart was ticked off in the second half after the fourth official consulted Probert.

Assistant manager Bob Booker has urged Albert Jarrett to continue the form he showed against Sheffield in tomorrow's home clash with Coventry.

The young left winger, currently keeping French newcomer Alexandre Frutos out of the starting line-up, lasted the whole game for the first time in his Albion career.

Jarrett had started as a substitute or been taken off in his 16 previous first team appearances.

He lost his place in the side last season after the 1-1 home draw with Coventry and Booker does not want the same thing to happen again.

"Albert came through 90 minutes, so that's good for him.

"He's got to be pleased with that.

"He came strong towards the end of the game as well, which was a credit to him.

"We are really pushing him hard and he is still a young lad. We know what he can do on the attacking side of things but we still need him to do some work defensively, to stop crosses and to get back and help his fullback.

"We feel as if he is slowly getting to grips with that and if he keeps doing it then he will stay in the team."