Graham Barrett is on course for his Albion comeback in Saturday's basement battle at Sheffield Wednesday.

Boss Steve Coppell believes there is "a good chance" Barrett will be fit to partner Bobby Zamora at Hillsborough.

The loan striker from Arsenal has missed the last four matches with a recurrence of knee ligament trouble.

"He trained yesterday," Coppell revealed. "He didn't get involved when we finished up with a game situation, but he did a lot of the set-up play that we were doing beforehand."

Barrett's return would be a big boost to Albion ahead of the six-pointer against an Owls side who lie just a point above them at the foot of the table having played a match more.

Firstly though the Republic of Ireland international has to complete the deal to keep him for the rest of the season following the expiry of his three-month stint with the Seagulls.

"As far as I'm concerned the ball is in his and his agent's court," said Coppell. "In many ways I can't understand why he doesn't just sign and get on with it, but there may be reasons I don't know about.

"He is trying to renegotiate his contract with Arsenal, but his present contract lasts to the summer.

"We've made a commitment, we want to sign him to the end of the season. They (Arsenal) have got no problems with it, but his agent said he is going to try and negotiate his deal this week and then we'll go from there."

Zamora has got over the heel, ankle and hamstring problems which sidelined him from last Wednesday's 3-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest and Coppell believes he will benefit from regular training and playing.

"He's on top of the knocks now with having that week's rest. He trained yesterday without a problem.

"I've heard it mentioned about Kevin Campbell at Everton. He is playing really well and David Moyes puts it down to nothing more than that he's had a pre-season and he is training and playing every week, where as in the past couple of seasons he hasn't played and trained.

"I think it would be great for us if Bobby can just have a month or so where he is playing every game, training every day, doesn't miss anything and hasn't got any niggles, but he's a target man and people are going to hit him.

"When you are match tight you ride those things better than when you are just chasing it a little bit."

Coppell has released Andy Petterson and 19-year-old Cameroon midfielder Roger Pandong, who were signed on monthly contracts. Albion cannot afford three goalkeepers now that Will Packham is fit-again and Coppell does not feel Pandong is ready for first team action.

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