Pepe Mel praises West Brom's medical staff as Chris Brunt edges closer to return

Boss Pepe Mel has hailed Albion's medical staff after the earlier than expected return from injury of skipper Chris Brunt.

The 29-year-old looked set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a nasty knee injury in the Baggies' 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last month.

But Brunt is already back and could come return for tomorrow's game with Spurs if midfielder James Morrison fails to recover from a leg injury.

Head coach Mel has been impressed by the Northern Ireland international's keenness to return, but is also delighted with the staff who have cared for him during his time on the sidelines.

"It shows two things," said Mel. "One that we've got a very good medical department.

"And two, Chris Brunt has worked very hard and shown that he wants to help West Brom – and that is something very important.

"If in the end Morrison can't start the game then Chris Brunt will start.

"He (Morrison) has got muscle problems that we don't want to get any worse."

Brunt has scored twice in 27 appearances for Albion this season and has played more than 200 games for the club since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in 2007.

But if Morrison is fit then Brunt will have to wait for a recall with Albion having picked up victories over Swansea and Norwich in his absence as well as picking up a point against Cardiff City.