Ipswich v West Brom preview: Boss hits out at 'poor' scheduling and makes 'reach limit' claim

Mason's small Albion squad is already showing signs of creaking and the situation does not look like improving much ahead of the clash at Portman Road. The head coach has suggested the tight turnaround is right on the cusp of his players being in danger of picking up more fitness issues.

It is the second time in this month alone the Baggies have been hit by back-to-back lengthy Wednesday to Saturday trips, having visited Norwich and Millwall earlier in October.

And, unprompted, an unhappy Mason has had his say: "They (Ipswich) have got an extremely good squad, they've got continuity with a really good manager so it's going to be a difficult game.

"I think the game is probably right on the limit from a physical point of view in terms of the scheduling.

"I think it's poor, I think it's really poor but that's fine. We have to accept it and try and arrive inside of the game with the best possible state of mind."

Arriving in the best state of mind will be one thing off the back of a poor result and sub-par second-half performance in Watford - but from a physical perspective Mason's senior ranks are bordering on threadbare at the moment.

Albion went to Vicarage Road without injured loan midfielder Toby Collyer (hamstring) and he was joined in the sideline reckoning by Jayson Molumby, who came back from Republic of Ireland duty with a muscle injury.

Neither are expected to feature in Suffolk on Saturday.

Winger Jed Wallace (calf) is out and fellow attacker Tammer Bany was not judged ready to return to the squad at Watford. Whether he does at Ipswich remains to be seen.

Right-back Alfie Gilchrist enjoyed an encouraging 55 minutes having finally made his first Albion start in Hertfordshire, but it ended in him hobbling off having injured his ankle.

Gilchrist will be scanned but the early diagnosis is the signing from Chelsea is highly unlikely to recover.

The only light at the end of the tunnel is with Krystian Bielik, the versatile summer signing from Birmingham City who should recover from illness to feature. Bielik, a defender who can operate in midfield, is yet to start for Albion but may be needed in Ipswich.

Mason's squad at Watford featured two substitute goalkeepers and two outfield academy graduates. The head coach made the point that even some of his available senior options - such as attackers Karlan Grant, Josh Maja and Daryl Dike - are not available for regular minutes due to being nursed back from long-term issues.

Could a lack of options lead to a backs-against-the-wall siege mentality against the Tractor Boys? Mason replied: "I think there's a feeling whenever you go away from home, it's what you want to try and create.

"A togetherness, a fighting spirit and a willingness to work for each other. Wednesday was a disappointing result - and it is going to be a massive challenge.

"We know that but we have to be ready for it and hopefully arrive to the game and try and show ourselves."

Ipswich, four places and points below the Baggies in 14th, are looking respond from Tuesday's surprise 3-0 home defeat from Charlton, in which former Baggies goalkeeper Alex Palmer hobbled off with a calf injury.