Scott Sinclair is aiming for fresh start at West Brom
Scott Sinclair has his eyes fixed on a re-launch of his Albion career over the Christmas season in his bid to secure a Hawthorns future.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined for two months since limping out of Albion's best moment of the season so far, the defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Sinclair's position is further complicated by the fact that he is already approaching the halfway mark of an initial one-season loan from Manchester City – with the clubs set to decide on a permanent transfer next summer.
He knows the pressure will be on in 2014 to clinch that deal but is focused solely on a successful comeback after his injury trouble.
"I've been out for two months," says the winger. "I had a very bad pull which I did at Manchester United but I've been getting back to 100 per cent. Hopefully I can be right for the weekend.
"It was frustrating. I got my match fitness up playing a few games and I thought 'I'm back to my normal self'.
"After playing 120 minutes in the Arsenal game and then before the Sunderland game I then went into the United game and pulled up after 10 minutes. It was one of those frustrating things. But you know you have to come back stronger.
"But I'm looking forward to playing against Cardiff. I haven't thought about my future. The only thing I'm concentrating on is playing for Albion. I have a lot of catching up to do. I need to hit the ground running. Hopefully now I can crack on and build on from there."
Sinclair comes back into the reckoning at a time when head coach Steve Clarke is searching for the winning formula after three successive defeats and a general down-turn of one win in nine.
Like Sinclair, it has put Clarke under pressure but the winger offers a measured view of the challenge ahead to move Albion's season away from the buffers.
"You never know who will beat who in this division - it's very competitive," he says.
"I'm sure the team and the form will pick up. We have a good manager, who is trusted. We need to kick on. I think every manager is under pressure.
"It's about getting results but you cannot all do that. We're confident in the team we've got to keep picking up points."
