Mowbray searches for Greening cover

Tony Mowbray today hailed captain Jonathan Greening as one of the finest in the division as he searches for cover for the midfield-maestro. The former Manchester United and Middlesbrough man is an ever-present in the league this season and has also featured in every cup game. Like Kevin Phillips on Saturday, Mowbray would have preferred to rest his captain however the playmaker's importance to the team denied the manager the option.

"I think Jonathan Greening is as good a player as there is in this league," Mowbray commented.

"He is everything I like in a midfield player.

"Jonathan is a player I would ideally have liked to have given a breather at the weekend because he is similar to Kevin Phillips.

"He is one who will be doing very little training this week as he tries to re-energise.

"But when I look at him we don't really have anyone of a similar type that allows me to take him out and sit him on the bench.

"The abilities he has got mean he is the oil in our team."

The Albion boss realises the talent which Greening possess could mean brining in cover a costly expense.

"We have said in the past that if the right players become available at the right price then we are always trying to improve things here," Mowbray added.

"But it's very difficult, unless you want to spend a lot of money, to buy the quality of Jonathan Greening.

"I am not trying to replace him.

"I am trying to make assurances in case he did have to spend some time out."