Alireza Jahanbakhsh has moved closer to a return to action with Iran at the Asian Cup.

Albion's record buy was on the bench for their 2-0 win over Vietnam at the weekend.

He was not needed but could be involved in the showdown with Iraq in Dubai on Wednesday in the final group game.

Jahanbakhsh has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury for Albion at Everton in November.

Iran are sailing towards the last 16, having crushed Yemen 5-0 in their opening fixture.

Mathew Ryan is also on course for the knockout stages with Australia.

They face Syria in their final group fixture in Qatar tomorrow afternoon.

A draw will be enough to guarantee qualification for the Socceroos after recovering from a shock 1-0 defeat by Jordan with a 3-0 win against Palestine.

The round of 16 matches takes place between January 20 and 22, the quarter-finals January 24 to 25.

The earliest either of the Albion players will be available is the FA Cup fourth round tie against West Brom at the Amex on January 26, which Ryan would sit out anyway.