West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has shared some injury news on defender Kyle Bartley ahead of their Championship clash with Coventry City.

The Lowdown: Bartley out...

At the beginning of November, Bartley was just starting to hit a rich vein of form, even scoring two goals in three games with strikes against both Queen's Park Rangers and Stoke City.

Impressive attacking contributions from a centre-back, the 31-year-old's season of limited appearances unfortunately continued thereafter when he succumbed to a side-lining injury.

Bartley picked up a knock in a friendly against Elche when West Brom jetted off to their warm weather training camp mid-season and still hasn't returned.

 The Latest: Corberan shares Bartley news...

According to Baggies boss Corberan, the Englishman also won't feature against Coventry, but is potentially in line to return next week.

He explained:

"He has made a positive improvement. It's been a long time where we haven't had him with the team, on the pitch. We still need him to keep growing his levels to allow him to compete. That's why he won't be involved against Coventry but he is starting to arrive at the last point of his injury.

"It's not this week, but he could be ready for next week. We have one week after this game and it can help him get back to the levels that we need him to reach in order to help the team."

The Verdict: Mixed news...

Bartley was a regular before the player's quad injury and the West Brom boss will be happy to have him back soon after this upcoming Coventry encounter.

A veteran, Bartley is arguably the type of experienced head needed in Corberan's back line as West Brom ascend to contention for Premier League promotion.

Their latest league defeat to frontrunners Burnley comes as Corberan's sole loss in West Brom's last five second tier outings - clinching victory in all four matches prior.

The Midlands side are just two points off a play-off place as things stand but players of Bartley's ilk will be needed if they're to keep up with the leading pack.

Called 'quality' by former caretaker boss Richard Beale, Bartley's eventual return will be a welcome one.