West Brom keeper Ben Foster steps up return by playing 45 mins in U21s friendly

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster has stepped up his return to the first team by coming through 45 minutes of Under-21 action unscathed.

The 32-year-old has been on the sidelines since suffering cruciate ligament damage in March last year.

Boaz Myhill has been filling in during Foster's absence, but it appears that the England international could be closing in on a return to Tony Pulis's side.

On Tuesday, the Baggies tweeted that it was a "good start to 2016" for Foster as he played in one half of an Under-21s behind-closed-doors friendly between West Brom and Kidderminster Harriers.

The Premier League side will face Bristol City at The Hawthorns on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup.