'No excuses' for West Brom despite 'annoying' 600-mile double-header - and more to come

The Baggies travelled to Norfolk on Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday night's Championship clash and will not get home until well into Thursday morning. Mason's side then play at Millwall on Saturday, less than 72 hours later.

Mason, who was part of Tottenham's coaching staff for last season's 60-game Europa League winning campaign, insists that a "state of mind" trumps any feelings of tiredness or not being prepared.

"It certainly isn't ideal," head coach Mason said of his side's scheduling. "It's a shame it's fell like that because we've got Watford and Ipswich in a little while as well, which is the same sort of travel, which is strange from a fixture point of view.

"But it's not a case of us making excuses before we've done it. We're going to be ready. There's no doubt in that, it's just part of the game."

After the upcoming international break Albion head to Watford on a Wednesday night and then travel to Suffolk for a 12.30pm kick-off at Ipswich on the Saturday in late October.

But the boss added: "I think the state of mind is it trumps everything. I was part of a club last year that played 60 games. We travelled across Europe. We had to come back. We had to travel.

"That's where I think the mindset trumps a lot of things and the mentality.

"When we get off the coach tonight we're going in the pool. We're going to recover. We're going to get ready for the game.

"It's annoying, but it certainly isn't going to affect our performance from a physical point of view or a mental point of view. I'll certainly make sure of that."

Mason's side have not won in three and the head coach stressed his whole squad will be needed for the two clashes.

"That's why we've got a squad," he said. "We need everyone. Everyone's going to play a part in the next couple of games. We're looking forward to the challenge.