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Pulis excited by Chadli return

TONY Pulis insists Nacer Chadli can return to the glittering form that lit up The Hawthorns in the early stages of his Albion career.

The Belgium international netted four goals in his first five Premier League games for the Baggies following his August 2016 transfer from Tottenham Hotspur - but a thigh injury interrupted his debut campaign.  

Chadli scored a sublime free-kick in his first start of this campaign - having recovered from a hamstring problem - at Leicester City on Monday night.

And Pulis believes next summer’s World Cup in Russia will provide the 28-year-old with the impetus to again produce his best football for Albion.

“Nacer played well on Monday night and he was fantastic for us when he first came in until he got his injury,” said the Baggies boss.

“We need to get him back to the level he showed in those first games for us. 

“He has a great incentive as well with the World Cup coming up next summer. 

“I’m certain he wants to go to Russia but he knows Belgium have got some great players so he will need to get back to it for us. 

“He was excellent on Monday against Leicester but the second game is always the one.

“Players tend to get through their first game back on adrenaline alone so we’ll need to keep an eye on him on Saturday as it will be different.”

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