Saido Berahino set to make West Brom comeback in U23s
Monday 12 December 2016 14:10, UK
West Brom striker Saido Berahino is ready to take the next step towards a first-team comeback.
Berahino has not played for the Baggies since September but will feature in their U23s' game with Wolves in Kidderminster on Monday night.
Berahino has been battling fitness problems this season having been ruled overweight by the club and sent to France on a personal training programme.
Albion rejected bids of around £20m from Stoke and Crystal Palace in the summer with Berahino's contract expiring at the end of the season.
The Baggies remain optimistic they can keep the 23-year-old and boss Tony Pulis wants him fit again.
"He's playing in the U23s so that'll be his first full game. Hopefully he'll get through that and then we'll take it from there," Pulis said.
"We'll see how he is, if he tires or felt anything then we'd have to deal with it but the plan is for 90 minutes. It's not a game I'd take anything out of. Whether he plays well or badly, the important thing is 90 minutes.
"We will need everyone by the looks of things. The amazing thing is we have three games this week and then we have nine days off and then four games in eight days. It's quite extraordinary but it's for other people to talk about."
Berahino is still unlikely to feature when Albion host Swansea in the Premier League on Wednesday and Craig Dawson is banned following his fifth booking of the season in Sunday's 1-0 loss at Chelsea.
Albion are eighth after the defeat while Swansea's 3-0 win over Sunderland breathed fresh life into their survival battle, and Pulis has been impressed with Swans boss Bob Bradley.
"I've met Bob once when I was in Scandinavia and I had a quick chat with him. He seems a very level-headed type of person who understands the game," he said.
"He's obviously managed in America and abroad as well. It's a great experience for him and I'm sure he'll relish the challenge."
