Boss tells fringe players to be patient.

ROBERTO Di Matteo claims Albion's fringe players need to put the club's promotion push first and remain patient.

The Baggies, top of the Championship, travel to second-placed Middlesbrough tomorrow hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.

Several players have found themselves on the outside looking in this term, including Filipe Teixeira, Leon Barnett, Abou Meite and recentlysigned trio Simon Cox, Jerome Thomas and Reuben Reid.

Di Matteo sympathises with them but claims their time will come during the campaign. "I don't have any reservations," said Di Matteo. "If I see a player is training well and he does well then he will play.

"The majority of players have played twice, with the exception of maybe one player.

"It's a long season, we need everybody and they need to be patient when the chance comes along.

"Compeition is healthy and it keeps everyone focused.

"As one of those players you should be happy for the team if they are winning because you are part of it.

"Our aim is to be successful and if the team wins and is successful then it rubs off on you.

"It's not about one individual.

Selfishness has to be put aside in that respect.

"Yes you may be disappointed but you have to work hard and take the chance when it comes along."

Two players who will not play a part tomorrow are Gonzalo Jara and Marek Cech.

Jara is cleared to play but is not flying into the UK until today, while Cech is out for two to three weeks with a twisted a n k le.

Luke Moore is also struggling to recover for the trio to the Riverside but Scott Carson is fit after suffering back pains against Doncaster during the week.