West Brom boss Tony Pulis to rely on youth as he discusses injury problems ahead of Chelsea clash

West Bromwich Albion will be without Matty Phillips for the visit of Premier League champions-elect Chelsea on Friday (12 May), with manager Tony Pulis also harbouring concerns over the fitness of Hal Robson-Kanu and integral defender Jonny Evans.

Phillips has not played for the Baggies since suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem during his side's defeat by Liverpool in April, while former Manchester United star Evans is struggling with an ankle problem.

Pulis is confident that Evans will be fit to face Chelsea but was less positive over Robson-Kanu, who will undergo a fitness test before Friday's match. The former Stoke City boss also discussed West Brom starlet Sam Field, and says he is not afraid to start the 18-year-old against Antonio Conte's side.

"Matty Phillips won't be fit," the West Brom boss said in his press conference. "Hal [Robson-Kanu] will have a fitness test today, but if fit he'll only be fit for the bench. Jonny [Evans] should be fit. We'll wheel him out whatever happens.

"I was very pleased with Sam Field. He won't have experienced that kind of game in any academy game so really pleased with him. It shows how good a player he'll be and we hope he'll be.Look at the players he's played in front of, [Claudio] Yacob and [James] Morrison. He wasn't playing because he's 18, but because he's good enough."

Pulis later turned his attention to Chelsea and praised the fact that Conte's side are in with a great chance of completing a league and cup double in the Italian's first season in charge at Stamford Bridge. West Brom have less to fight for between now and the end of the season, but Pulis wants his players to go out and perform to the best of their abilities for their supporters.

"You've got to give Chelsea great credit for being in with a chance of a double," Pulis added. "They've been the most consistent team in the league this year. We'll give it our best we've a responsibility to our fans. We could still finish in eighth and so we've got a lot to play for. Whether they celebrate on our pitch or Stamford Bridge they deserve to be where they are at the moment."