PAUL Robinson insists the long-awaited return of Filipe Teixeira is like having a new signing - and has tipped him to be a hit in the Barclays Premier League.

The Portuguese ace finally put his seven-month injury hell behind him by making his English top-flight bow as a 56th-minute substitute in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.

And Robinson was impressed by what he saw from the tricky midfielder in his 34-minute run-out against the Reds.

"We're delighted Filipe is back," he said.

"It's been a long seven months for him.

"It was great to see the fans give him a great reception because we have missed him as a player and a person around the place.

"He has always been bubbly and we kept his spirits up when he was injured and he has been fantastic.

"It's about match fitness for him now but with the touches and the quality he has got he can open up defences for us.

"He showed glimpses of what we have missed on Saturday."

Teixeira proved to be a £680,000 bargain buy last term as he helped lay the foundations for Albion's promotion success with his outstanding performances and five goals.

And Robinson is now looking forward to seeing what he can do against the teams outside the 'big four' in the Barclays Premier League.

"I think he can be a very good player," he added.

"There is no doubt in my mind.

"When we signed him everybody thought 'who's he?'

"But he proved in the Championship what a quality player he is and for me he will do exactly the same in the Premier League.

"After being out for seven months it is just about getting your match fitness back and getting games under your belt.

"I don't think it will take him long because he has been working very hard.

"He went back to Portugal to do his rehabilitation, which was different class.

"He has come back strong.

"When you have been out for that long you have to be strong in the mind to come back from it.

"He is turning like he has never been injured.

"He is a great player for us and he is like having a brand new signing." 

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