Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo insists his men will stand up and be counted tonight at Cardiff despite a mounting injuries and suspensions to his depleted squad.
The Italian is without James Morrison, Marek Cech, Ishmael Miller and Gonzalo Jara with Abdoulaye Meite and Andwele Slory also struggling. To make matters worse, Jerome Thomas and Youssouf Mulumbu are both suspended with the Baggies boss calling upon 17-year-olds Sam Mantom and Kayleden Brown to boost the ranks.
However, despite his selection problems, the former MK Dons chief is certain his side will show all the battling qualities which have seen them lose only once since the Cardiff reverse at The Hawthorns in early December.
“We have shown lots of fighting spirit during the season and it's our philosophy to never give up," the head coach insisted.
"We will be competitive tonight, for sure, and I am 100 per cent certain that the players that go out onto the pitch will give everything they have.
"I am trying to be positive.
"We have some problems but we'll try to cope with them.
"It's not the end of the world and we could be worse off.
"We have shown real spirit during the season and we never give up.
"Sometimes, adversity can bring strength out of people that they probably didn't know they had.
"Obviously, I look at the players I've got available and it's not very healthy at the moment.”
He added: "The cup cost us very dearly on Saturday.
"I lost one player to injury before the game and three more through injury and suspension during the game and I already had other players out.
"I am looking at tonight and thinking 'interesting'!
"I am realistic. I know tonight is going to be difficult.
"But I also know we'll go there and be competitive."
*Jerome Thomas has been banned for a further game following a charge of violent conduct relating to the following incident which saw him receive his second dismissal of the season. The winger will now miss tonight’s game plus fixtures against Bristol City and the FA Cup fifth round replay against Reading.