DOUGIE Freedman is not worried about the hole Craig Dawson will leave behind when he heads back to West Brom tomorrow.

The highly-rated defender plays his final game against Cardiff this afternoon before returning to the Premier League, where he has been promised a first-team chance under Steve Clarke.

Dawson has been ever-present since he arrived at the Reebok in January, during which time Wanderers have taken an astonishing 32 out of a possible 45 points to clamber their way into play-off contention.

But while Freedman admits the impact made by the England Under-21 international is considerable, he does not feel his team will suffer unduly when he goes back to his parent club.

“I think there is a point to be made there, but I also think Jay Spearing has been immense for us, Chris Eagles has stepped up and Zat Knight has also done the same,” he said.

“I think in the couple of months before Craig arrived the team were just adjusting to the way we play.

“We can’t say just because Craig Dawson has come to the club that all of a sudden we’re a top-six side.

“He has absolutely contributed to us being there. But I think there have been some big contributions from other players as well – people like Chung-Yong Lee – and others that have been in there.”

Freedman has three other senior options at centre-half for next week’s crucial home clash with Blackpool – David Wheater, Tim Ream and Matt Mills.

And those existing options are clearly in his mind as the Whites boss refuses to discuss the chances of him signing Dawson on a permanent basis in the summer.

“He has been fantastic,” the manager said. “The plan has really worked out well for ourselves and for Craig, and I spoke to him only this morning about it.

“But it’s too far ahead and too early to discuss anything else right now. It was never in the deal.

“He’s loved his time here. I’ve stuck to my word with West Brom to send him back a better player and I think we’ll all agree he is a better player.

“I look around at Matt Mills or Tim Ream, who have not been called upon, they have been fantastic.

“And David Wheater – he is a Premiership player, a top, top, player.

“So people have got to remember we have got some very good centre-halves who are ready to step in and do what’s asked of them.”