West Bromwich Albion are facing a manpower crisis of gargantuan proportions before tonight's tricky FA Cup third round replay at Reading.

Bryan Robson, the manager, could have as many as ten players unavailable for the match at the Madjeski Stadium as injuries bite hard into his squad.

Paul Robinson, Steve Watson and Kevin Campbell are major doubts after being injured during Sunday's 1-0 Premiership win at Wigan and, with only 48 hours to recover and an imminently winnable fixture against Sunderland in the Premiership on the horizon, Robson will be taking no chances this evening.

The trio join Thomas Gaardsoe (hernia), Zoltan Gera (hernia), Neil Clement (fractured cheekbone), Kanu (fractured cheekbone), Geoff Horsfield (hamstring), Diomansy Kamara (international duty) and Darren Moore (suspended) in being unavailable tonight.

With the Ugo Ehiogu transfer saga showing no signs of being resolved until later in the week - a loan deal is an option that is being discussed as well as a permanent deal - Robson will be limited in his options.

Long injury lists have hampered Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, and David O'Leary, his counterpart at Aston Villa, at various stages of the season, but it looks as though the poisoned chalice has been passed over to Robson.

Riccardo Scimeca's departure to Cardiff City has stretched Robson's squad still further although the club have not ruled out a move for either of last week's trialists, Jan Kozak and Badou Kere.

Midfielder Kozak and defender Kere made an impression in their seven-day stay and could be added to the squad, Kozak in particular catching the eye.

However, assistant manager Nigel Pearson says that any plans laid prior to the Wigan fixture had been thrown into turmoil.

He said: "We picked up a number of knocks, so I can't even begin to speculate on what sort of line up will be named.

"We will have a look at who is fit and who isn't but it is fair to say there will be changes. We were down to 16 fit players for the game against Wigan and that was including Rob Davies who was drafted into the squad.

"We have some big players who aren't available and, if you throw in suspensions on top, then it can expose small numbers, but that's the way it is. We have just got to deal with it.

"The situation with the trial-ists is on-going and we have had very positive feedback but we are looking to add to the squad, especially now that Riccy has left to join with Cardiff."

Nevertheless, despite Albion's treatment room resembling a scene from Casualty, their self-belief has ballooned after Sunday's first Premiership away win.

They can approach tonight's match with more freedom now that that albatross has been lifted from round their necks. They can also draw solace from the last time they were ordered to play two fixtures in the space of 48 hours in October.

They delivered their best away performance of the campaign, winning 3-2 at Fulham in the Carling Cup, two days after losing at Bolton.

So, despite a crippling injury list, they can approach the tie with the runaway Championship leaders in good spirits.

Defender Curtis Davies said: "If we can go there and play anything like we did at Wigan then I think we can win.

"At our place we didn't play particularly well and they were well-organised and deserved a draw. I don't think it is about us proving a point. I think it is about getting a win in the FA Cup and reaching the next round.

"It will be difficult, though, as they are unbeaten in something like 30 games. We will have to just go there and win."