ISHMAEL Miller's hopes of winning his first England Under-21 cap tonight have been dashed by injury.

The Albion striker has been forced to pull out of the Molineux friendly against Poland (ko 7pm) with a slight groin problem suffered in Good Friday's 1-1 draw at Charlton.

But Tony Mowbray is keeping his fingers crossed the £900,000 signing will be ready for Saturday's Hawthorns date with bottom club Colchester (ko 3pm).

He said: "I saw Ishmael stretching quite a bit on the pitch on Friday, but it is very minor."

The Baggies boss remains hopeful midfield duo James Morrison (ankle) and Chris Brunt (hamstring) will be fit for the Colchester visit.

But Albion will be without central defender Leon Barnett for the second successive game.

It is still unclear how long Barnett's hamstring injury will keep him out.

But Mowbray is hoping to have the ex-Luton man back sooner rather than later.

"Leon won't be ready for the weekend," he confirmed.

"As for the following week, I don't know.

"It could be two or four weeks - but we would hope it would be closer to two weeks.

"It's a Grade One injury, which is pretty minor.

"Leon will be ready when he is ready."