The high-flying Tigers are third in the Barclays Premier League after overcoming Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United with an unchanged team in their last three matches.

Yet Brown expects to have to modify his approach on Saturday and said: "It is difficult to look and pick fault with the players who played in those games.

"But I think we are coming up against a different kind of mentality and a different kind of team in West Brom than in the previous three. There is room for change in my head but I haven't made those decisions yet."

Brown has close to a fully-fit squad available for the trip to The Hawthorns with broken leg victim Craig Fagan the only player sidelined.

Nick Barmby and Stelios Giannakopoulos are nearing fitness but will probably be given another week, as will record signing Anthony Gardner, even though he will definitely travel.

toughest part

"The body count at the moment is frightening," said Brown. "The toughest part of my job is that we had 28 players on the training ground today."

Yet despite the positive squad news and the team's superb run of form, Brown refuses to accept that Hull are the favourites going into this weekend's game.

Victory would put Hull joint top with Chelsea and Liverpool - who face each other on Sunday - but Brown expects West Brom, promoted above Hull last season, to be a tough prospect away from home.

He said: "They came up on this wonderful ride last season when, for me, they were undoubtedly the best team in the division, by a long way. They have started this season very well, playing some good attractive football that has got its just rewards in certain games.

"I think the away fixture for us means we are not favourites. West Brom are the favourites, being at The Hawthorns."