West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis has revealed that keeper Ben Foster is nearing a return to fitness following seven months on the sidelines.
The 32-year-old tore his cruciate ligament in March and also suffered a setback in his attempts at a comeback earlier this season.
However, Foster has made strides in his recovery in recent weeks and could return to training by the end of the month.
"Ben is hopefully on the grass next week, that's getting closer for us," Pulis told reporters.
"I don't think people have mentioned it as often as they could have, in respect to missing such an influential player - and an influential player in the dressing room as well.
"It's been a little bit of a setback but the lads have coped very well with it."
West Brom have kept six clean sheets in 10 matches in the Premier League this season.