Robert Koren could hand Roberto Di Matteo an unexpected Christmas present by returning to the Albion squad on Boxing Day.

The Slovenia international has returned to full training sooner than expected and could be on the substitutes’ bench when the Baggies face Peterborough on Saturday.

Koren had a hernia operation a month ago and had been expected to be sidelined until early January but he returned to the training ground yesterday.

Head coach Di Matteo said: “He’s trained with the group so that’s good news. We’ll see how he does because he’s been out for almost four weeks.

“I’ll see how he does over the next couple of days and then I will make the final decision on Friday.”

Di Matteo also warned today that Peterborough will be inspired by their trip to Albion and braced them for a war of attrition. Di Matteo believes Posh will be the latest Hawthorns visitors to set out to frustrate Albion as they bid to return to winning ways.

“Everyone fancies The Hawthorns,” said the Italian. “It’s a worry.

“You go and watch teams and scout them then they come to The Hawthorns and they play completely differently.

“They come, they sit deep, there are 11 men behind the ball and it’s the game of their life against us.”