Timely West Brom injury return could prove transfer window ace for new boss Eric Ramsay

Williams may have slipped from the memories of some Baggies supporters as the full-back broke his ankle on international duty back in early September.

It was a cruel blow for Warwick-born Williams, who made his senior debut as a starter in the home EFL Cup defeat to Derby in August and came off the bench for a Championship bow at the end of that month in the win at Stoke. He agreed a new Baggies contract in October until 2028.

It has been a long road since with surgery and rehab, but the prospect made his return to action for Albion under-21s on Monday and could find himself a handy option for new boss Ramsay and his favoured wing-back system in the coming weeks.

Can Williams make an impact on Ramsay's first-team thoughts?

Absolutely.

The youngster, who turned 21 earlier in January, was making inroads in August under Ryan Mason.

Ramsay appears to prefer a back three or back five system which will either comprise of attacking wingers Mikey Johnston, Samuel Iling-Junior or Jed Wallace at wing-back, or a more defensive option of George Campbell or Alfie Gilchrist.

American Campbell, who played his football in the MLS at centre-back, has had a good season at right-back but is less natural as an attacking unit. We have seen precious little of Chelsea recruit Gilchrist, who has struggled to make an impression.

Both are more defensive-minded.

Williams, likewise, is a steady full-back and regularly showed at under-21s level he can get stuck in and stand firm.

But glimpses of the graduate at senior level back in August highlighted a fearless youngster willing to make runs into the opposition half. It remains to be seen if he is a perfect wing-back option, but it could prove to suit him.

Moreover Albion's business this month, as has been the case so far, is expected to be minimal. That is not a lack of desire to bolster the squad, more the reality of the profit and sustainability constraints outlined by club president Andrew Nestor in his pre-Christmas statement. Owner Shilen Patel said at Ramsay's recent unveiling that even backroom staff appointments had to be considered due to PSR.

Nestor and director of football operations Ian Pearce - responsible for recruitment - have areas of the squad to address. One is midfield where options are limited after Toby Collyer's Manchester United recall this month.

It is possible just one loan checks into The Hawthorns this month and any youth options to boost numbers from within will help. Harry Whitwell and potentially Cole Deeming are similar possible answers in midfield.

What has been said?

Williams started and played 45 minutes for Leigh Downing's under-21s in their first fixture of the new year on Monday afternoon, a 3-1 behind-closed-doors defeat to Leicester at the Baggies' training base.

"It's a really nice feeling, when you're out for so long you spend so long thinking about your first game back," Williams said.

"It's 45 minutes, it's all about fitness, getting back to the sharpness of before the injury, it was a big one so it will take a little bit of time, but it was so much fun.

"It (rehab) was tough. My first ever surgery as a player, a tough, long experience, but I'm really excited to be back in front of the new manager.

"I've had a few conversations with him, he's a really approachable guy, he knows what he's talking about as well. I'm really excited to make whatever difference I can, big or small."

Any other under-21s news?

Downing's men did fall to PL2 defeat against the Foxes but there was progress on the fitness front.

Highly-regarded goalkeeper Ben Cisse, 20, has barely featured this season due to injury but returned to start for his side. Cisse has been around the club's first team for a number of years, regularly as the third-choice on matchday.

There was also a welcome scoring return from the bench for striker Eseosa Sule, whose loan deal at Scottish Premiership side Motherwell was wrecked by injury.

Sule, 19, had to undergo surgery on the injury and did not feature for the Well after July. His loan was ended at the start of January after rehab at Albion. Sule scored to make it 2-1 but the young Baggies conceded again. Kevin Mfuamba received a late red card for two cautions.

Downing's side, who are third-bottom, next play away to fifth-placed Southampton on Monday, January 26.