Tuesday 13 February 2018 07:37, UK
Alan Pardew's concerns over a lack of goals were heightened after Daniel Sturridge's latest setback in West Brom's 3-0 loss at Chelsea.
Sturridge - who joined West Brom on loan from Liverpool in January - was making on his second start for Pardew's men, but limped off in just the third minute to be replaced by Jay Rodriguez.
The setback is the latest in a long line of Sturridge injuries, but Pardew insisted the initial signs point to a strain rather than a more serious muscle tear.
"It was a blow to lose Daniel on his first run," Pardew told Sky Sports. "That didn't give us the perfect start. We just can't seem to get the goals that get us the wins, and they need to come, and come quickly, so Daniel's recovery will be important now - we need to get him back.
"We are hoping it is not that bad. It happened very early in the game, but we don't think it is a tear. It seems to be a strain, which will probably keep him out of the FA Cup game. Hopefully, fingers crossed, in a couple of weeks he'll be OK."
West Brom had their chances at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea were more clinical as Eden Hazard's double set Antonio Conte's men en route to a crucial three points.
Pardew was unhappy with his side's lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, as the defeat leaves West Brom rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, seven points from safety.
"No goals - when you come to the top teams, and get chances, you've got to take them," Pardew added. "[Jay] Rodriguez, [Salomon] Rondon and [Jonny] Evans. One of those might have been enough to unnerve them [Chelsea], but they got confidence from the 2-0 lead and that made it even more difficult.
"In many ways, we've done a decent job tonight, but the scoreline reflects the season - there's been games we've had great control over, we didn't here but we have in other games, but we can't just seem to get the goals to give us the win. And they need to come quickly."
