Jerome Thomas has told Albion fans they can expect to see more from the dazzling winger as he increases his match fitness. The flying wide-man finished only his second full game in Albion colours after virtually missing the whole of last season with a back injury.
The former Arsenal youngster was released from Portsmouth as a result and opted to join the Baggies despite trials with Hull City and rivals Wolves. Now, with Thomas returning from a three-match suspension, he’s hoping to cement his place in the starting XI and increase his fitness in tandem.
"It was good to be back out there," the former Charlton man said.
"I felt I owed the team and the staff after getting sent off so hopefully I repaid them.
"I am still learning. It was my first red card and you learn from your mistakes and it's part and parcel of life.
"That's in the past now and I can just crack on and play football.
"I did my back at Portsmouth.
"I fractured two bones and was out for the whole season.
"I don't know how it happened. It was a freak occurrence.
"I went in after training one day and my back was hurting.
"I was sent for a scan and they said I had two fractured bones and they didn't know how to treat it or what to do, so I ended up being out for the whole season.
"But it's healed now and I have been working hard to get my whole body strong to make sure I don't have any more injuries and I can stay out there and produce on the pitch.
"I don't see it as a second chance.
"People have seen what I can do but it's easy to get forgotten.
"Hopefully I am reminding people out there by scoring goals."
After his red card during the Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal, Thomas thanked the coaching staff at the club for keeping his spirits and his fitness levels up after a difficult twelve months for the 26-year-old.
"Middlesbrough was my first 90 minutes in over a year and the performance we put in was great, winning 5-0 away from home, and I got a goal at the end so I felt strong,” JT continued.
"It was a nightmare to be out after that because you want to continue your run of form but I have been working hard with the staff and they have been great.
"The training in the last two weeks has been great and we have been working hard and I just took it into the game.
"My first goal came after a fast break on Saturday.
"I was up there from set-pieces so I just flicked it past the keeper and it was just a case of staying composed because there was a defender chasing me.
"I just had to make sure the first touch was right and put it in.
"If I am fit and strong, as I feel at the moment, there is more to come.
"And I am going to get fitter and stronger, because even at the end of the game on Saturday I felt tired.
"The main thing is that we're winning.
"If I am setting up or scoring goals, that's my job, but if the team is winning and getting three points, that's what's important."