Teixeira enjoys reserve outing
01 Oct 2008 - 10:31:24
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Filipe Teixeira is closing in on a return to action after more than six months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
The 27-year-old has not featured for the Baggies since a 3-0 win at home to Plymouth Argyle at the beginning of March, but has came through an hour of a reserve team clash with West Ham on Tuesday evening.
Albion boss Tony Mowbray said afterwards: "Filipe is raring to go. He has trained for a few weeks now and has trained with full contact for the last 10-11 days.
"He just needs to get some fitness which generally you get through playing matches.
"If he continues to work hard at his fitness levels and gets another game or two under his belt, he should be back in the frame very quickly.
"Coming through the first game unscathed is a big step in his progress back to the first team."
Reserve team coach, Michael Appleton, added: "Filipe took a few heavy challenges, but just got up and got on with things. He was delighted to get 60 minutes and said he felt fine after the game.
"The signs are there, but he probably needs three or four games before he's ready for first-team action."