Alan Irvine confident of quick Ben Foster return

West Bromwich Albion head coach Alan Irvine has revealed that goalkeeper Ben Foster has been managing a thumb problem since the start of pre-season training.

Foster was forced to miss England's friendly with Norway on Wednesday evening after aggravating the area in training, but Irvine is confident that his first-choice stopper will be fit enough to face Everton next weekend.

The 56-year-old told the club's official website: "He's had a little bit of a problem with his thumb during pre-season but nothing we haven't been able to manage.

"He just got it jarred. He went to catch the ball, secured it with his left hand but it then ricocheted off and hit down on the top of his thumb. That's exactly the movement that he wouldn't have wanted.

"We don't feel that there's a need to do anything drastic at this particular moment. We are hoping that when he's assessed again on Monday, he will be fine."

The Baggies are currently sitting in 18th place after the first three matches of the Premier League.