Irvine hopeful of Pocognoli return
ALAN Irvine hopes Sebastien Pocognoli will return to training this week, ahead of Saturday's game against Arsenal.The Baggies left-back missed Saturday's defeat to Chelsea after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
Irvine hopes the Belgium international will be back in action for the visit of Arsene Wenger's side in Saturday's televised Barclays Premier League fixture.
"Seb is close but wasn't close enough on Saturday," said Irvine.
"I was hoping he would train on Thursday, but he didn't do that. And I hoped he would train on Friday - he didn't do that.
"So we just need to see how he is this week."
One player who did draw praise on Saturday was goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Irvine was impressed with the England international, who produced a series of excellent saves at Stamford Bridge.
"Ben was terrific," continued Irvine.
"It's the most he's had to do this season by a long way and it was down to their quality. Their passing, movement, combination was excellent so he had to be in good form and he was.
"He was very complimentary to the lads in front of him at half-time. He was excellent, top class.
"It's important we have lots of good players in a team. And if teams can find a way of getting through us its nice to know we have a top goalkeeper."