Jonas Olsson has declared himself fit for Albion's trip to West Ham a week today (KO 8pm). The giant Swedish defender has been sidelined for the past two months after tendinitis flared in his knee following the 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.
The £680,000 summer signing made his debut against the Hammers back in September and enjoyed a 19-match run in the team before his injury. Now Olsson, who has been included in the reserves' squad to face Stoke tonight, is hoping to make his 'second debut' in an Albion shirt against the club he made his first.
"I did my first full session last Monday," Olsson said.
"I've carried on from there and my knee feels good.
"Obviously it is difficult having been out for eight weeks so I've got a bit of muscle pain elsewhere in my body.
"Up until now I've been pretty lucky with injuries throughout my career and hopefully that remains the case after this.
"There was some bone bruising as well as the tendonitis.
"The important thing is the knee feels good and it feels good to be back out on the training field again.
"For the mood and the head it just feels great to be out there training.
"I should be fit for the West Ham game.
"Before we went away to Spain it was difficult to say when I'd be back but after speaking to the physios coming back from Spain we targeted the West Ham game.
"So, it's going according to schedule.
"West Ham was my first game for West Brom and in some ways playing against them again after so long out will feel like another debut.
"Hopefully it will be another win as well."
The Baggies also received positive news on the back injury which has ruled out Roman Bednar for the past two games. Albion's leading goalscorer fell awkwardly during the warm-weather training in Spain but is confident of returning to full fitness in time of the trip to Upton Park.
"I'm still having to take things easy and make sure I don't get another blow on my back," Bednar revealed.
"But unless it gets caught again, I should be fine and available for the team against West Ham."