Last Updated: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:10
Youssouf Mulumbu says that his decision not to play international football this week will mean he is fit to face Chelsea on Saturday.
Mulumbu, who pulled out of the Democratic Republic of Congo's friendly with Burkina Faso in Morocco, is confident he will be ready to take on the team coached by his former boss Roberto Di Matteo.
The midfielder was forced to play on with a hamstring problem during Albion's 2-1 win at Wigan last weekend because Steve Clarke had used all three substitutes.
"I hope I will be fit," said Mulumbu.
"After Wigan I felt something in my hamstring and we didn't want to take any risks with me going to the international and coming back tired or with an injury.
"It happened during the Wigan game but the gaffer had made all of his changes so I had to stay on."
And on the prospect of taking on Di Matteo, he added: "Robbie has done very well. He is still quite young but he drove the Chelsea team on. So all my praise goes to him, but I'm looking to beat him.
"I won't be looking to shake any hands or be kind to people, I will be looking to get three points and maybe go fourth in the league. He has a strong team but let's see what happens on Saturday. I'm quite confident."
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