Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith is being recalled from his loan spell at Peterborough United by caretaker manager Nathan Jones.

Mackail-Smith was due to remain at the League One club, where he made his name as a goalscorer, until January 1.

Jones has seized the opportunity under loan regulations to recall him after 28 days.

Mackail-Smith will officially return on Christmas Day and is likely to be on the bench against Reading at the Amex on Boxing Day, when assistant manager Jones takes charge of the team following the resignation yesterday of Sami Hyypia.

Mackail-Smith made three appearances back on loan at Peterborough without adding to the 99 goals he scored for the club from 2007-11.

The enthusiastic 30-year-old, sidelined for most of last season by Achilles and ankle problems, struggled for game time under Hyypia.