Ben Foster back to boost West Brom

Goalkeeper Ben Foster has handed Albion's stand-in management team a welcome boost by returning to action after a three-month injury lay-off.

The England international played 45 minutes for the Baggies' under-21s in yesterday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at The Hawthorns.

The 30-year-old had not played since suffering a stress fracture to his foot in the goalless draw at Everton – Albion's second game of the season – on August 24.

Wales international Boaz Myhill has deputised since but Foster returned to full training around a fortnight ago and has now moved a step closer to a possible first-team return.

He was watched from the stands yesterday by caretaker boss Keith Downing and goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely and will hope to return to first-team contention in time to help the duo – or their long-term successor – during the Christmas programme.

Foster was expected to be out for around 12 weeks but his rehabilitation has taken longer than anticipated.

He was replaced at half-time yesterday by youth-team goalkeeper Jack Rose in a pre-planned substitution.

The Baggies went on to lose to two goals in the final eight minutes as City claimed three points in the Under-21 Premier League.

Sinin Bytyqi curled a 20-yard free-kick around the wall and into the bottom-right-hand corner to give City the lead and moments later their doubled their advantage when Jordy Mayifuila struck.