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Chris Brunt eyes quick return for West Brom

Captain Chris Brunt today set his sights on defying Albion's medics and returning from his knee injury ahead of schedule.

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The Baggies midfielder was ruled out eight days ago for up to six weeks after damaging a medial knee ligament in the club's defeat to Manchester United.

But the skipper is determined to get back ahead of schedule to help Albion's fight against Premier League relegation.

"Anytime I've been injured in the past I've always managed to get back before the initial timescale," said Brunt.

"I was worried the injury was going to be worse than it is before the scans. At the time it was pretty painful.

"When the scan came back I was gutted to be missing the games, but in the back of my mind I was relieved because it could have been a lot worse.

"It was a pretty freak accident – Robin van Persie ran into Wayne Rooney and Rooney fell onto me.

"It was weird and I think it was a good job I got my foot out of the way just in time because if it had been planted it could have been worse. But at the time I was thinking my season was over.

"Everything is going pretty well so far. I've got a lot of gym work over the next few weeks."

and the quicker I can get back outside the better."

Albion won their first game without Brunt at Swansea on Saturday with Youssouf Mulumbu's late goal sealing a 2-1 success and a first victory under boss Pepe Mel.

And Brunt insists he will be on hand to help his team-mates during his lay-off.

"To not be able to help turn draws into wins is disappointing but you get on with it and support the lads in what we're trying to achieve," he said.

"They made a good start of it on Saturday and if they can keep winning games it makes my rehab a lot easier to do.

"I was gutted when I got injured, especially with the nature of the games coming up against the teams around us.

"It was only a matter of time before we got a result and to not be involved in that on Saturday was gutting.

"But I was delighted for the lads and everyone else."

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