Alex Mowatt says he and his team-mates are fully aware of how much is on the line this weekend when Preston North End come to town for the final league game of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Baggies know three points against the Lilywhites on Saturday lunchtime will secure them a spot in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Mowatt, who scored in the 4-0 win at Deepdale back in October, believes it's a time for "calm heads" and insists the squad have no doubts about what's required of them.

Alex said: "We've had a difficult few results recently, there's no getting away from that.

"We could've made things a lot easier for ourselves and we know there's a lot on the line on Saturday.

"We're looking forward to it, though. We want to finish the season strongly and make sure we get ourselves in the play-offs.

"We need to stay calm and focused on what we need to do. I've played in games like this before where there's something big on the line and they can be edgy, so calm heads are definitely needed.

"We need to remain calm, play our normal game and try and replicate the performance we delivered against Leicester City a few weeks ago.

"Our home form has been really good this season. We've managed to pick up a lot of wins and produce some great performances. Hopefully it can be a similar story on Saturday and we'll be doing our best to come away with three points."

Opponents Preston have lost four in-a-row, but are still in a favourable position to secure a top-ten spot in the second tier for the first time since the 2019/20 season.

Mowatt believes they'll arrive with a determination to "express" themselves at The Hawthorns.

"I've been there in Preston's position ahead of the game.

"You come into it as a player knowing that you can't finish in a play-off position or get relegated or promoted, but that means you can go into the game free to express yourself and play without the normal pressure.

"We know it'll be difficult and we've got to be up for it. We know what's on the line and we know that it's a massive game.

"Hopefully the fans can get right behind us because we all feel it as players when they're giving us their best level of support.

"It drives us on as players and it really does help. I'm sure they'll create a fantastic atmosphere for us."