West Brom boss' 'definitely progressing' update on long-term absentee

Last term was a campaign of two halves for striker Maja, who fired 12 goals by the start of January to put himself as the Championship's top marksman.

But he then had to undergo surgery on a stress injury in his leg and it meant he did not kick a ball for the rest of the season, including in the entirety of Tony Mowbray's return to Albion.

Maja made progress behind the scenes during the off-season and, despite minimal friendly involvement, he made his competitive return as a late substitute in the EFL Cup penalty defeat to Derby two weeks ago.

"Yes, definitely," Mason said about Maja making strides by the week in his progression.

"He had a long time out, but we're happy with the progress that he's making."

The head coach added: "We had it on the Tuesday (in the EFL Cup tie), his first competitive game in an extremely long time, he had a really good training week, and also last week he's had another really good training week, so he's definitely progressing how we'd hoped."

Mason said in the wake of Maja's cameo against the Rams that Albion 'were going to need' Maja at his influential best again this season.

Albion could still be looking to reinforce their frontline in the final days of the transfer window ahead of next Monday's 7pm deadline.

Mason's other striker options are summer signing Aune Heggebo, who arrived in a £4.7million move from SK Brann in his homeland of Norway, as well the injured Daryl Dike and fringe player Devante Cole.

Dike was ruled out for initial estimates of around six weeks at the start of August owing to a thigh injury. Cole, a free agent in 2024, has never started a league game for Albion.

Heggebo has impressed so far for the Baggies but the club are optimistic Maja will make a telling and influential return to make good competition in the forward role.