STEVE McCLAREN has included four young Newcastle United players in the squad for tomorrow’s visit of West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

The Magpies boss, who is already looking at the trip to Stoke on March 2 in the hope that more players will be fit, has ruled out Chancel Mbemba and Paul Dummett, so options are limited at the back. 

McClaren is having to weigh up who to ask to play out of position to slot in at full-back, having also ruled out Jack Colback for a further week with hamstring trouble.

Under-21s players Liam Gibson, Callum Williams, Jamie Sterry and Dan Barlasar will all be involved in the match-day 18 for a game with the Baggies which Newcastle could do with winning.

“We have lost count of our injuries, 12 out and one suspension,” said McClaren, who has Jamaal Lascelles missing after his red card against Everton.

“We have drafted in four Under-21 players. We are suffering at the moment through injuries. We will have a decent team out, decent squad and we carry on.

“We would never envisage we would lose three defenders, two centre-halves especially at Everton. The sending off in the last minute was frustrating because Jamaal was playing well.

“We could never have seen that coming. We have four fit ones before the window closed.”

Steven Taylor will play his first game since August after recovering from hamstring trouble, but even he would ideally be involved on the bench for a further game rather that start.

He said: “Steven Taylor will come in as the next one in line. It is very frustrating for him. He is a true Geordie, Newcastle boy and we will need that kind of commitment.

“Colback is not worth the risk, but he should be back training and ready for next Saturday. We are a little short in certain areas.

“We have looked at the young ones in training since Wednesday. We have looked at them and if we have to do that then we have done that with Kevin Mbabu.”

Mbemba will go for a further scan next week on the ankle problem he picked up in the shambolic defeat at Everton, but the ankle complaint is likely to rule him out of this week and next Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.

Newcastle are still two points shy of safety ahead of the visit of West Brom after losing their last two games, but McClaren is satisfied they can climb clear following the January investment.

He said: “We have good talent in this squad but we have to get more consistency. Performances like Everton have surprised everyone, we have to eradicate that. With 14 games to go we have to be consistent with our performances.

“We will have 50,000 Geordie fans in St James’ Park on Saturday and they will demand a performance of character.

“This squad is stronger now, it’s far better than it was. We have been in the bottom three for most of the season. We are kind of used to it. We know we are in a battle. We have to continue that battle for the next 14 games. You never know what will be needed.”