Sheffield United prepare to let Lys Mousset off the leash at West Bromwich Albion

After recovering from surgery to repair a damaged tendon in a foot, Mousset is set to feature against Slaven Bilic’s side having completed nearly two week’s worth of intensive training at the Steelphalt Academy.

The former AFC Bournemouth striker’s return to action will boost United’s hopes of winning what threatens to be a long and gruelling battle for survival, having lost for the eighth time in nine outings when West Ham travelled to Bramall Lane last weekend.

Despite concerns about his focus and overall conditioning, Chris Wilder acknowledges Mousset has the potential to become one of the first names on his team sheet after proving his worth against the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United last term.

“Lys will be involved when we go there,” Wilder, the United manager said, ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns. “We would have used him in the West Ham game but it came just a little bit too early for him, coming back to full time training.

“We all know what Lys is capable of doing and he’s been showing that behind the scenes since starting again. His challenge now is to do what he’s been showing us in training out there on the pitch for real, because everyone is aware what a big player he can be for us.”

Mousset has not represented United in a first team fixture since July; first being granted leave of absence to address a personal matter in France before sustaining what proved to be a serious injury during a friendly against Preston North End in August.

He scored five times in 10 appearances at the beginning of last season and Wilder said: “We’ve got big games coming up and Lys is a big game player, he comes alive in those as we’ve all seen in the past.

“That’s the type of personality he’s got. He’s been working really hard and he’ll be coming with us, I’m certain, unless something happens.”

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