Nacer Chadli can take West Brom to a 'different level'

The Belgian midfielder – the Baggies' £18million record signing – is yet to play a minute of Premier League football this season after missing the club's pre-season trip to Austria during a summer that saw him strongly linked with a move to Swansea City.

He was close to returning in the defeat to Brighton, but reported a muscle strain two days before, and Garner knows a fully fit and firing Chadli would be of huge benefit to Albion.

"Potentially he could be huge for us," said Garner. "His talent is undoubted.

"When he first came to the club, his first four or five games he was exceptional.

"But he needs to get back to those levels now.

"He’s got all the capabilities of doing it.

"If he’s mentally in the right place and physically in the right place then Nacer can take us to a different level with what he can do for the team.

"He’s got the ability to create goals, score goals and he also works for the team.

"Hopefully we can get him into the team, get him fit and playing well because I think he can make a difference for the club."

After scoring four goals in his first five games for Albion, Chadli's hot start was derailed by a minor knee operation last November.

"It was a blow because he was in good form and had had a real impact on the team at that stage," added Garner. "He definitely took time to get going again after that injury and period of time out.

"He’d not had a full pre-season either because he’d come from Tottenham and hadn’t really been playing in their team pre-season.

"It was probably a factor of not having a full pre-season and then losing some fitness and match time.

"He had moments, spells and good games.

"But on the whole he didn’t hit the heights he did when he first came to the club.

"We’re all hoping, and I’m sure Nacer is, that he gets back to those levels."