Youssouf Mulumbu nears a return for West Brom

Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has handed West Brom boss Steve Clarke a major fitness boost by claiming he will be ready to face Liverpool next Monday.

The midfielder has told fans he expects to recover from a knee injury in time for the televised game at Anfield after he missed Sunday's defeat to Tottenham.

And Mulumbu has also backed want-away striker Peter Odemwingie to make an impact after the pair chatted at training yesterday.

Mulumbu and Odemwingie both trained yesterday with head of sports science Chris Barnes while the rest of the first team began a three-day break.

And Mulumbu, who returned with his injury from the Africa Cup of Nations, told a fan on Twitter who enquired about his availability for Liverpool "it should be good."

He also tweeted: "I had good Training session with pet (sic) and great chat after that, now i understand wat happened and we'll be back soon!!"

Odemwingie was told to stay away from training after his transfer window rants and his drive to QPR on deadline day, but he was back yesterday to work on his fitness.

The pair could both figure at Liverpool and full-back Steven Reid is keen to continue his own comeback from injury after starting for the first time since December in the 1-0 loss to Spurs.

The defender suffered a broken bone in his leg against Arsenal. He said: "It's been a frustrating season with a hamstring injury first and then the broken leg incident. I had more praise than stick for playing with a broken leg."