Central defender Gabriel Tamas is out for three games after being sent off against Blackburn, while right-back Gonzalo Jara picked up his fifth yellow card in the same game, and is therefore missing for the match.

Defender Jonas Olsson is still sidelined with an Achilles injury, meaning the Baggies will have to field a makeshift back line at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Despite this, Di Matteo believes his team will approach the game in their usual positive manner.

"We play with no fear against anybody, that's been our strength," he said.

The former MK Dons boss admitted that while the situation is not ideal, he's hoping that some of his fringe players can take their chance in the first team.

"We've got three defenders out, so we'll have problems at the back.

"I'll have to make changes, and that gives other players the opportunity to come into the team.

"It's obviously not a settled back four, but that's what the reality is."

One player set to feature in the starting line up is Steven Reid. The former Blackburn midfielder is likely to fill in at right-back, and feels that the team is mature enough to cope with the busy winter period.

He said: "These are the games that you want to be involved in, and that's why you play football.

"The team as a whole has matured over the last couple of years and the last Premier League campaign.

"All of the players are a couple of years older now and I think the performances have shown that.

"You've got players who've been in this situation before so everyone's a bit more experienced."

Di Matteo's men have lost their last three league matches, something he feels has affected the players at the club.

"The mood is obviously not the best, because we've come from a couple of bad results," he said.

"We need to draw a line under it, look forward and try to pick ourselves up."

The Baggies boss is conscious that regardless of Saturday's result, the team must stay focused on the season's target of avoiding relegation.

Di Matteo said: "First game of the season we played Chelsea, and now the first game of the second part of the season we're playing Man Utd.

"But after that, there's another 18 games to play."