West Brom boss makes 'dedicated' claim about Josh Maja's return to match fitness

Albion's 12-goal top scorer last term netted the winner on his return away to Norwich but has yet to add to his tally as boss Mason has rotated with Aune Heggebo, who headed in an important winner from the bench last time out against Oxford.

Mason emphasised the need to be meticulous when building up players' fitness and match minutes from long-term setbacks - with Daryl Dike and Tammer Bany other examples - in a bid to make them last. The head coach talked up Maja's dedication to the challenge.

"I think it's a combination of many things," Mason said of bringing Maja up to speed.

"I think unless you've been a player and had 10 months out injured, you don't really realise how long it takes to get the rhythm back, to get the feeling, the timing.

"Josh has been great. He's dedicated himself fully to it and what we're trying to do.

"The more time he has on the pitch, the more minutes he gets, I'm sure the better it is for us because we want to get him scoring goals. We know he's got the potential to do it."

Maja is one of six first-team players in the final season of their Albion contract, alongside fellow attackers Daryl Dike and Karlan Grant.

The striker, a free transfer from Bordeaux in 2023, passed up a chance to add to his tally last time out against Oxford as he neglected a first-time strike in the six-yard box.

Mason, whose side return at leaders Coventry on Saturday, said: "I think Josh's chance in the first half was a massive opportunity and I think a fit and firing Josh Maja takes that, whether it's first-time or his first touch sets him up to hit the second one.

"We know, and I've said all along, we're still working with Josh and we've still got room to get him to his level."