Albion boss Sami Hyypia wants Jake Forster-Caskey to be honest about how he feels after his exertions with England's under-21s.
Hyypia has stepped into the raging debate surrounding Raheem Sterling's availability for the national team by stressing the importance of players being straight with managers.
Liverpool teenager Sterling has come under fire in some quarters - and been supported in others - for telling Roy Hodgson he was too tired to play in England's 1-0 win in Estonia on Sunday.
Forster-Caskey reports back with Albion tomorrow after featuring in both legs of the Euro play-offs qualifier for Gareth Southgate's under-21s against Croatia at Molineux last Friday and away from home last night.
Hyypia will have a discussion with the midfielder before deciding whether to play him against Middlesbrough at the Amex on Saturday.
Hyypia said: "When I talk to him I would like him to be honest. If he feels that he is tired and that because of that he is not 100 per cent then that would give me a decision to make.
"If I know he is tired and maybe at 70 per cent and I have another player who is 100 per cent then it's my decision.
"If he is not honest with me then he is taking the risk, he's making the decision and that would be wrong I think. If he gets injured then he would say I was tired.
"The whole season is about controlling the load. I don't think any player can play all the games at 100 per cent.
"During the periods they are a bit tired I would like everyone to be honest about it. It doesn't mean that if somebody says he is a bit tired he won't play but then I have the option to control the load. That is very important for me.
"I wouldn't want to push anyone to the stage that his Achilles or hamstring or something is going to pop just because the fatigue is there.
"We have a squad and I am willing to use the squad. With a young player playing many games it is sometimes a risk that you have an injury.
"I am not that concerned about burnout, because I think young players want to play. I am not worried about that but a muscle injury or what ever, that's the main thing."
Forster-Caskey was rested earlier in the season from Albion's first game back after an international break at Brentford.
Hyypia has one less midfield option for Boro's visit, with Andrew Crofts now sidelined by serious knee damage for the second time this year.
Dale Stephens, bought from Charlton in January following Crofts' first injury setback, is still some way off a first team return.
The timescale for Stephens' recovery from ankle ligament damage sustained against Yeovil in April remains unclear. He is back in training but his involvement is restricted.
Hyypia said: "If we play a game in training we take him out of that, because he is not ready for the contact, but he is working with the team when we do a passing drill or possession game.
"That is a big step for him mentally, to be involved. We'll see how he reacts with the training. When he is ready to play a part in a game then probably it will be a DS (development squad) game first and then with us.
"It's still a little bit unknown when he will be ready. I don't think he knows himself."
Original article
Hyypia has stepped into the raging debate surrounding Raheem Sterling's availability for the national team by stressing the importance of players being straight with managers.
Liverpool teenager Sterling has come under fire in some quarters - and been supported in others - for telling Roy Hodgson he was too tired to play in England's 1-0 win in Estonia on Sunday.
Forster-Caskey reports back with Albion tomorrow after featuring in both legs of the Euro play-offs qualifier for Gareth Southgate's under-21s against Croatia at Molineux last Friday and away from home last night.
Hyypia will have a discussion with the midfielder before deciding whether to play him against Middlesbrough at the Amex on Saturday.
Hyypia said: "When I talk to him I would like him to be honest. If he feels that he is tired and that because of that he is not 100 per cent then that would give me a decision to make.
"If I know he is tired and maybe at 70 per cent and I have another player who is 100 per cent then it's my decision.
"If he is not honest with me then he is taking the risk, he's making the decision and that would be wrong I think. If he gets injured then he would say I was tired.
"The whole season is about controlling the load. I don't think any player can play all the games at 100 per cent.
"During the periods they are a bit tired I would like everyone to be honest about it. It doesn't mean that if somebody says he is a bit tired he won't play but then I have the option to control the load. That is very important for me.
"I wouldn't want to push anyone to the stage that his Achilles or hamstring or something is going to pop just because the fatigue is there.
"We have a squad and I am willing to use the squad. With a young player playing many games it is sometimes a risk that you have an injury.
"I am not that concerned about burnout, because I think young players want to play. I am not worried about that but a muscle injury or what ever, that's the main thing."
Forster-Caskey was rested earlier in the season from Albion's first game back after an international break at Brentford.
Hyypia has one less midfield option for Boro's visit, with Andrew Crofts now sidelined by serious knee damage for the second time this year.
Dale Stephens, bought from Charlton in January following Crofts' first injury setback, is still some way off a first team return.
The timescale for Stephens' recovery from ankle ligament damage sustained against Yeovil in April remains unclear. He is back in training but his involvement is restricted.
Hyypia said: "If we play a game in training we take him out of that, because he is not ready for the contact, but he is working with the team when we do a passing drill or possession game.
"That is a big step for him mentally, to be involved. We'll see how he reacts with the training. When he is ready to play a part in a game then probably it will be a DS (development squad) game first and then with us.
"It's still a little bit unknown when he will be ready. I don't think he knows himself."
Original article