Zoltan Gera backs loan ranger Matej Vydra to fire for West Brom

Vydra made his first Premier League start in the 1-1 Boxing Day draw at Tottenham and formed an impressive understanding with Gera, who was also starting for the first time in almost a year after injury.

"Matej is very clever," said Gera of the Czech Republic forward, who is on a season-long loan from Udinese. "He's a good player with good feet and he's a goalscorer. He missed a few chances on Thursday but as long as you're in a good area and you have chances it is good for you and the team.

"It's up to the new manager but I think he's a very good player and he showed it on Thursday."

Vydra's opening five months at The Hawthorns have been blighted by injury while Gera had been ruled out since January with a cruciate ligament problem.

Gera said: "I was buzzing and really happy to start the game. It was a good 75 minutes for me. My recovery has been very good after the injury so I'm happy."

Gera is expected to be among the substitutes when Albion travel to West Ham this afternoon with caretaker boss Keith Downing expected to make changes.