West Brom optimistic on attacker's return following more surgery

He went under the knife and has had to have more work on the issue, which has not seen him feature since early November.

There are high hopes for former Harrogate youngster Bray, 18, and boss Leigh Downing is optimistic he will make a return 'soon into the new year'.

The Baggies youth set-up have been dealt a further blow with an ankle injury for midfield prospect Crowther.

The 17-year-old picked up the problem shortly before December's FA Youth Cup triumph over Bournemouth. Crowther, who hails from the north east, was the club's academy player of the season last term.

"Matty unfortunately has picked up an ankle injury that I think we'll see him miss a little bit more of the second half of the season," Downing said. "Which is a blow for Matty, because he was one that was great last year and before the injury started to find his form again at the under-21s.

"With Jack Bray we're hoping it's not too long-term."

Downing's under-21s will be boosted by the imminent return from injury of the club's third-choice goalkeeper Ben Cisse, 20, who is expected to return to full training.

England youth international Cisse is yet to feature this season but is nearing a return. Fellow goalkeeper Louis Brady is out with a quad injury.

Italian defender Mo Diomande has recently returned from a fitness setback and featured for the under-21s before Christmas before a place on Ryan Mason's first team bench.