West Bromwich Albion have been handed a huge boost regarding the fitness of Dara O'Shea.

What's the latest?

In a recent post on the West Brom website, the club revealed that the centre-back, who has been sidelined since August of last year, has completed a further 60 minutes for Albion's U23 side in his recovery from an ankle injury.

The Republic of Ireland international played his first 45 minutes of football for the youth side last week, and looks set to feature for the full 90 when the U23s face Southampton next Monday.

Speaking about his current condition, the defender said: "I'm feeling good, it's great to be back playing and building up my match fitness. I just want to get going again now, but I know how important it is to do things properly and keep increasing the game time gradually.

"The plan is to get 90 minutes in with the U23s in their fixture against Southampton next Monday, and then hopefully I'll get through that fine and be ready to go."

Ismael will be elated

Considering just how important a part of Ismael's side O'Shea is, the news that the centre-back appears to be extremely close to making a return to first-team football is sure to have left the 46-year-old manager elated.

Indeed, over his five Championship appearances prior to his injury, the £2.7m-rated defender was in imperious form for the Baggies, helping his side keep two clean sheets and scoring two goals, as well as making an average of 2.2 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, 3.6 clearances and winning 10.2 duels - with a success rate of 66% - per game.

These returns saw the £4.4k-per-week Irishman average a rather astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.26, ranking him not only as Albion's best defender, but also their best player overall in the second tier of English football.

As such, considering the extremely poor run of form West Brom have been on in recent weeks, the return of O'Shea can not come soon enough for Ismael, as the 22-year-old will very much be like a new signing for the Frenchman.

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