Chris Brunt faces race against time

West Brom captain Chris Brunt is set to resume training tomorrow as he races to recover from a groin injury in time to face Manchester United on Monday.

The Northern Ireland midfielder returned early from international duty but Albion boss Alan Irvine has not given up on having his skipper available to face the Red Devils.

Irvine said: "Chris Brunt was the only man who came back and he came back early.

"Fortunately for us, that's given us time to work with him and he hasn't trained with us yet but he will join in on Saturday.

"I'm expecting everyone who came back to be in contention for the game on Monday."

Irvine expects all of his other returning internationals to be available on Monday, while club-record signing Brown Ideye will be in contention after returning to training this week following an ankle problem.

Striker Victor Anichebe is touch and go after spending time at a training camp in America recuperating from a hernia problem.

And winger Silvestre Varela will not figure after groin surgery. The Portugal international's operation went well but he has yet to resume training.