Triple injury boost for Baggies

In the week that the Albion players are due back to start pre-season training for life back in the Premiership, the Baggies have been given a boost ahead of preparations with the news that captain Jonathan Greening, midfield ace Filipe Teixeria and striker Roman Bednar are all on the road to recovery after respective operations.

Captain Greening and Czech striker Bednar both underwent the surgeon's knife to cure troublesome hernia problems and are expected to join up with the rest of the squad for training this week. While no time limit has been set for Portuguese ace Teixeria's return the news from Portugal, where he is rehabilitating, is that the 27-year-old has received no adverse reaction to his cruciate knee reconstruction.

"I've been speaking to Filipe throughout the summer and he seems very optimistic and happy with how things are going," Albion physio, Richie Rawlings said.

"The operation was a success.

"The swelling has all gone down and the knee is a lot stronger.

"There have been no set-backs, he is progressing really well and everything is going according to plan.

"While the rest of the boys head off to Holland and Germany on pre-season tour he'll be staying here and doing rehab work with us.

"He'll continue his strengthening work and jogging and we'll see how he goes."