Zoltan Gera is hoping he will be able to claim a place on the bench when West Bromwich Albion take on Aston Villa on Saturday.
Baggies midfielder admits he is not yet ready to start a game
Zoltan Gera is hoping he will be able to claim a place on the substitutes' bench when West Bromwich Albion take on Midlands rivals Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Hungarian rejoined West Brom in the summer from Fulham, but has been forced to wait to make his second debut for the club due to an ankle problem.
However, he played the first half for the reserves on Tuesday evening, scoring once and setting up another goal in a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
The attacking midfielder admits he is not yet ready to start a first-team game, but is eager to be involved when the Baggies head to Villa Park at the weekend.
Happy
"I've been in better shape and I was tired at the end. I felt I was fit some time ago but then had another injury," said Gera.
"Now I'm back and happy. I will keep training and hope to get back to my best soon.
"Fitness is the key now. I'm not ready for a full game but maybe 20-30 minutes.
"Saturday is the manager's decision but I will work hard and maybe 15-20 minutes would be good."
West Brom are optimistic defender Steven Reid will be available to face Villa after undergoing minor hand surgery following a challenge from Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole 11 days ago.
Cattermole claimed afterwards that Reid 'rolls around like a girl', but Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson said: "I don't care one little bit what Lee Cattermole says.
"Players do themselves an enormous disservice making journalists jobs easier by giving them little headlines."
