Mowbray hoping cup magic rubs off

Tony Mowbray is hoping next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Portsmouth will inspire his squad's league form in the build up to the Wembley fixture. The Baggies have to face Colchester this Saturday (KO 3pm) and Cardiff the following Tuesday (KO 7.45pm) before Albion travel south and attempt to reach their first FA Cup final since The King's left foot brought the cup home in 1968.

"I think there is a benefit to having such a big game looming," The Baggies boss said.

"I can see the players' intensity in training.

"The fact James Morrison and Chris Brunt are fit and Leon Barnett is within touching distance of being fit so quickly suggests that everyone wants to be involved.

"Everybody knows this game is just around the corner.

"You can sense in training everyone wants to be involved.

"They want to give themselves an opportunity of playing at Wembley.

"There are only positives at the moment from that game being on the horizon because the players know they've got to perform in the games beforehand.

"As we sit here today, we are very conscious of the fact we need to find a performance on Saturday and take that into Tuesday.

"Next weekend will then look after itself.

"Hopefully, we will be sitting in a good position in the league going into a one-off semi-final."