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West Brom boss Tony Pulis sweating over fitness of a number of players

Jonny Evans:
Image: West Brom's Jonny Evans has helped Northern Ireland qualify for Euro 2016

West Brom boss Tony Pulis is sweating over the fitness of a number of players following the international break.

Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans, Scotland midfielder James Morrison and Swede Jonas Olsson are struggling with injury problems ahead of this weekend's match with Sunderland.

Evans and Morrison have ankle injuries while Olsson has a groin problem.

Salomon Rondon, Stephane Sessegnon and Cristian Gamboa have also been representing their nations this week and Pulis is hopeful all three return injury-free.

Albion have slipped to fourth bottom in the league, just two places above Saturday's opponents, following successive defeats by Everton and Crystal Palace.

"We're hoping everyone returns back okay. Evans and Morrison are still being assessed at this stage. We will see how they are but both are doubts," said Pulis.

"Many of the players won't be back in till later this week. Salomon, Sess and Cristian for instance don't come back until late Thursday or early Friday. It's ridiculous really but there's nothing we can do about it."

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James Chester, who joined Albion from Hull in the summer, also played his part as Wales reached a major tournament for the first time in 58 years, while Evans, Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley helped Northern Ireland to reach the finals of the European Championships for the first time.

To have so many home nations at the Euros next summer will be good for everyone and I hope we see a reaction from all those involved.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis

And Pulis is hoping for a positive reaction from all those away with their national sides as he hopes to turn the club's league form around.

"It's pleasing to see them both qualify when you think of the nations who usually qualify - it's good to see other nations get their success," he told the club's official website.

"To have so many home nations at the Euros next summer will be good for everyone. I hope we will see a reaction from those players involved and if we do, brilliant."

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