Ben Foster fitness boost for Baggies ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Goalkeeper Ben Foster has handed West Brom a fitness boost by returning to training ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

But defender Jonas Olsson has been sidelined by a recurrence of his long-standing Achilles tendon injury.

Foster missed Monday's 2-2 draw against Manchester United with a calf problem but is expected to be available to face the Eagles at the weekend.

Head coach Alan Irvine said: "Ben trained today and he's fine.

"The only players who did not train were Silvestre Varela, who actually joined in the warm up today so is getting closer, and Jonas Olsson, who's had an injection in his Achilles which has been troubling him in pre-season and during the early parts of the season.

"Everyone else trained."

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Olsson, who has fallen out of favour in recent weeks after a tough start to the season, has been troubled for several years by flare-ups in his Achilles but has so far resisted surgery and opted to manage the problem.

Irvine said: "It's been something that has been bothering him for some considerable time.

"He has had an injection, and if you can imagine getting an injection in your Achilles, it's not nice. He's in a bit of discomfort still.

"It's not something that's career-threatening, that's for sure, but it's uncomfortable.

"Surgery is not something that is being spoken about at this moment, hopefully this injection works and he's OK. If it doesn't work then clearly we have to look at something else."

Meanwhile, Claudio Yacob remains absent after returning to his native Argentina last week because of a family illness.

"He's not going to be back before this game. We are in contact with him – as much as we can whilst being compassionate as well," said Irvine.

"It raises the argument about things that are more important than football. I have told him he can have as much time as he needs. Hopefully we will see him back soon."