At a time when they have been giving almost every impression of falling apart at the seams, West Bromwich Albion have been doubly strengthened just in time for their final two games.

The biggest tonic to their faltering promotion push came midway through yesterday afternoon when they received the news from Soho that their appeal against Paul McShane's red card at Burnley on Monday night had been upheld by the FA.

That leaves the young Republic of Ireland Under-21 defender free to play at Coventry City tomorrow. A second significant move to bolster his side's weakened

back four came early yesterday evening when Albion manager Tony Mowbray opted to recall the vastly experienced Steve Watson from his loan spell at play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Mowbray was relieved that McShane's clash of heads with Burnley's former Baggies midfielder James O'Connor on Monday night, deemed "serious foul play" by referee Michael Jones at the time, has now been overruled as "accidental".

Having already been sent off for a professional foul in September's 4-2 win over Leeds United, McShane faced a four-game ban for his admittedly reckless challenge. But an FA disciplinary hearing overturned the decision after being presented with an Albion defence that proved stronger than they had managed at Turf Moor - spearheaded by a supportive letter from Burnley boss Steve Cotterill.

"It was particularly honourable of Steve Cotterill to take the action he did," said Albion secretary Dr John Evans. "It would have been very easy for him to have shrugged his shoulders and said 'These things happen, they even themselves out'. It will not be forgotten."

In the wake of three other red cards that the FA have had cause to rescind in the last week, yesterday's latest decision appears to raise a large question mark about the decline in refereeing standards. But Mowbray was concerned only with the bonus of having a key player back in the ranks for tomorrow's trip to the Ricoh Arena.

"It's the right decision," said Mowbray. "And it's nice to know McShane's got every chance of playing now

his ban has been overturned. But, unfortunately, it doesn't help Monday's game when we would have carried on with 11 men and probably taken the three points.

"Things would look a lot brighter if we'd had three more points but we can't go back and replay that match.

"The referee did get it wrong on the night but we've got to move on now and find two decent performances in our next two games to secure a play-off place."

Mowbray refuted the idea that he was recalling Watson, who made the last of his 10 league starts against Luton Town in January, simply to put a spanner in the works at Hillsborough. "Steve has been doing all right for them," said Mowbray. "But I'll not bring him back to try a nd harm Sheffield Wednesday.

"I'm only interested in my own team and we've got to be able to put 16 out."

After joining the Owls on February 9, Watson was originally due to remain at Hillsborough until the end of the season. Wednesday were keen to keep him, given that he has been on the losing side just once - and they are on an 11-game unbeaten run. But the loss of suspended duo Neil Clement and Darren Carter Albion's final two games, added to Curtis Davies's broken foot leaves Mowbray weak.

The Baggies are also still sweating on the fitness of on-loan Sam Sodje after he missed Monday's 3-2 defeat with an ankle injury.

"Sam is still receiving treatment and his ankle is improving," said Mowbray. "We're hopeful but we're not taking anything for granted."

After getting the all clear on Jason Koumas after his calf injury on Monday night, Mowbray has also been boosted by the return of Sherjill MacDonald to training following a minor knee operation after missing the last three games.

* Young striker Stuart Nicholson is also back at The Hawthorns from his loan spell at Bristol Rovers after discovering he needs a hernia operation.