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Martis boost for Baggies

Image: Martis: Returns for Baggies

West Brom could be boosted by the return of Shelton Martis for the crucial game with Sunderland.

Baggies defender returns to training ahead of Sunderland clash

West Brom could be boosted by the return from injury of Shelton Martis ahead of the crucial game against fellow strugglers Sunderland. The Baggies are bottom of the Premier League, nine points from safety with only five games left to play - making the clash with The Black Cats a must-win at the very least. Martis has found chances hard to come by since he arrived from Hibernian in July 2007 but he has seen his three appearances for the first team this term all come in the past few weeks. Cruelly, shortly after making his mark on the Baggies starting XI the Dutchman suffered a groin injury causing him to miss the club's last two games. Striker Roman Bednar, who has also missed the last two games with a hamstring problem, has not been so lucky and he is set to miss out again. "There are a few carrying little knocks and strains and a few didn't cool down on Monday because they were having treatment," manager Tony Mowbray told the club's official website. "But generally everybody is fine and there are no new injuries to concern us. "Shelton trained yesterday with the players who didn't play in the game. "Some went to play for the reserves and some continued with a more intensive fitness session - and Shelton joined in with that group. "Roman is still not ready to train but hopefully he's not too far away."