West Bromwich Albion have been boosted by the news that midfielder Grady Diangana is expected to return to training, according to The Express & Star journalist Lewis Cox.

The Lowdown: Diangana absent of late

The Baggies are preparing for their return to Championship action away to Sunderland next Monday night, having not played since the 2-0 win over Stoke City on November 12.

Diangana featured for nine minutes towards the end of that game but he has been struggling with an injury of late, ruling him out of the recent training camp in Spain.

A positive update on the 24-year-old has now emerged, though, as Carlos Corberan continues to get important players back fit.

The Latest: Return to training expected

According to Cox for The Express & Star, West Brom 'hope' to have Diangana back in training this week, which suggests that he will be able for the trip to Sunderland next Monday.

Semi Ajayi and Daryl Dike are already back after long-term layoffs, playing in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Elche last week.

The Verdict: Massive boost for Baggies

This is an undoubted positive for the Baggies, with Diangana a formidable midfield presence during his time at the club, once being hailed as 'magnificent' by Lee Hendrie.

He has already made 16 starts in the league this season, and 114 appearances for the Baggies in total, and he could continue to be a key figure under Corberan if he managed to remain injury-free.

He can be pivotal to Albion's attacking play, with his match average of 1.7 key passes the third-highest at Tthe Hawthorns, while only five players at the club have betted his 1.5 shots per game [WhoScored].

Should Diangana be deemed match fit for the trip to Sunderland, throwing him straight back into the team makes perfect sense, as West Brom look to pull away from near the bottom of the Championship table.