West Bromwich Albion need to bounce back to winning form as quickly as possible, starting today when promotion hopefuls Bristol City visit The Hawthorns, according to manager Tony Mowbray.

Albion were knocked off the top spot after their 3-1 defeat at Stoke City last Saturday but victory over third-placed City could fire them back to the summit of the Championship, depending on results elsewhere.

The defeat at the Britannia Stadium was only Albion's second reverse in 12 games and Mowbray is hoping victory over a Bristol side, who have become the surprise package of the Championship following their promotion last season, will be the catalyst for another good run.

The leadership of the Championship has become almost a poisoned chalice and each side that has hit top spot has been unable to pull away from the chasing pack.

However, Mowbray is not focusing his side too far beyond this afternoon's game.

"The players know the next game is the most important and we have to pick up the three points and keep going," Mowbray said. "It is about culminating points and I am not interested in pulling away from anybody.

"We have to keep going and concentrate on getting the three points against Bristol and then move on to Scunthorpe, but we don't want to get in front of ourselves. We have to focus on the next match.

"Bristol are a team who move the ball around and try to play, and will give us different problems to Stoke. It should be a good game and I am looking forward to it."

Roman Bednar will be out to continue his impressive run of form. The 24-year-old Czech striker has scored six in as many games since coming into the side during the absence of Ishmael Miller and Kevin Phillips, through injury.

If Bednar continues his impressive form, Albion may wish to make his on-loan move from Hearts more permanent but Mowbray said the striker has still got plenty of work to do.

Mowbray said: "Since he has come into the side, he has done exceptionally well. He has grasped an opportunity through injuries and has done very well. He works exceptionally hard for the team and always looks a threat.

"His goals per game record is very good and I hope it continues. He spent a period of time on the touchline getting fit and from our perspective the timing was right. When his chance did come because of injuries, he was fit enough to take it.

"He could have been judged on that and he has taken his chance very well.

"We are not thinking that far ahead in terms of his loan. He has to continue working hard, scoring goals and contributing to the team.

"Roman knows that the better he does the more he will have an opportunity to consolidate his career here and keep pushing on. He is a good lad. He works hard and I like to think all the players enjoy training and he certainly does.

"It is nice to have a feel-good factor around the club. Winning games plays a part in that and that is why it is so important we bounce back on Boxing Day."

Albion have no new injury worries following the Stoke game, and the return of Martin Albrechtsen from injury at Stoke will give Mowbray options in defence, although he said he was not thinking of changing his back four despite conceding ten goals in their last four games.

"The players at the back have done exceptionally well. Martin coming on at Stoke was to make sure Bostjan Cesar wasn't sent off," said Mowbray. "We don't want suspensions and it was 3-0 when Martin came on. He has had some minutes on the pitch and it has got him going again."