Gordon Greer believes Andrew Crofts can be better than ever before for Albion – despite two serious knee injuries.

Crofts, an unused sub at Bolton last Saturday, will make his first appearance in the matchday squad at the Amex for over a year against Cardiff today.

The 31-year-old midfielder has battled back from cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in the home game against Birmingham in January 2014 and the same injury at Watford nine months later.

The mental strength of Crofts has seen him through the double blow, which also wrecked his prospects of featuring in the Euro qualifying campaign for Wales.

Captain Greer said: “It’s another big plus for us. Crofty’s had two really bad injuries but he’s so fit and so dedicated. He’s back involved now, which is great for us.

“It hasn’t surprised me, it’s the nature of the man.

“He’s a great guy to have around the place. Instead of looking at the negatives he looks at the positives.

“He went away, said he was going to get stronger and fitter and when I come back be even better.

“He’s set his sights high so I’m sure he’ll come back and be even better than he was before.”

Crofts has not been involved in a fixture at the Amex since the 0-0 draw against Blackpool in September last season.

His next start will be his 100th for Albion spread over two spells since current Cardiff manager Russell Slade signed him in June 2009.

Meanwhile influential central midfielder Beram Kayal, set to be named in the Israel squad again tomorrow with fit-again team-mateTomer Hemed, is on the brink of a ban following his fourth caution of the campaign at Bolton.