West Brom defender Kyle Howkins joins Port Vale on loan
Albion defender Kyle Howkins has returned to Port Vale on loan until the end of the season - exactly a year after he made the same move.
The 22-year-old centre-back has gone back to the League Two outfit after spending the first half of the season training with Albion to recover from a knee injury.
Howkins, who played in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace for Albion this season, was delighted to go back to Vale.
"I'm very happy," he said. "I need to play games, obviously I had my knee injury last year but I'm back now and ready to go again.
"It's good coming in this morning and seeing all the smiles, I don't think they expected me. They're a great bunch and I can't wait to get started.
"I know the squad is pretty big, I'm here to work hard and fight for a shirt."
Howkins believes he improved during the first half of the season, training with the Baggies first team.
"Training with the likes of Gayle and Rodriguez has benefited me a lot," he added. "That's why West Brom kept me at the start of the season, to train with them.
"It's great training with them every day, you have to concentrate so much. It's good, I've enjoyed it.
"I feel a lot better, sharper and fitter, I've come here to get games. I'm fit and ready to go, can't wait to get back out there in front of all the fans."