TICKETS for the play-off opener at West Brom on Sunday will be in short-supply after Wanderers were offered an allocation of just 2,300 by the Midlands club.

The Baggies, who have been allocated 5,000 South Stand tickets for the second leg on Thursday week (ko 7.45), have had to limit the visitors' allocation because of development work currently being carried out at the Hawthorns.

Only three sides of the ground are now in use following the demolition of the 34-year-old Rainbow Stand (the side opposite the main stand) slashing the capacity to 17,000. Tickets are £14 (concessions to be announced) and will be on sale to season ticket holders tomorrow, Lifeline members on Thursday and open sale from Friday. The Reebok ticket office will be open from 9.30 to 7pm each day.

Sunday's kick off time was set at 3pm today after Sky TV announced that they will be screening the Birmingham-Preston clash from St Andrew's. Travel Club coaches leave Manchester Road at 11.30 and the Reebok at 12 noon (members £9, non-members £11).

Reports have suggested Colin Hendry may be forced to abandon his appeal against the six-match international ban imposed for violent conduct against San Marino's Nicola Albani after FIFA set the date of the hearing for May 17 - the date of the second leg of the play-off semi-final.