Albion cannot wait to see Steve Alzate at full power again in the Premier League.

The midfielder has called time on his battle against an ongoing groin issue which has hindered him for several months.

He has gone in for surgery and the aim is for him to be firing again next season, which is likely to start in mid-September.

Alzate’s operation was delayed early in lockdown and he has tried to train through discomfort in a bid to complete his debut Prem season.

Head coach Graham Potter told The Argus: “I think he has had it on and off since the turn of the year, really.

“It has been one of those that has niggled away and he has tried to manage - and he has managed.

“But it’s nice to be pain-free and he hasn’t been able to do that really.

“But credit to him, he has tried to get on with it and play.

“It got to the point where he couldn’t be himself really.

“Regardless of anything, regardless of our situation, there’s no point waiting, you just have to get it done.”

Alzate, left, started 12 league games his season and went on as sub on seven occasions.

Albion expect to make better use of his talents next term.

Potter said: “It’s his first season in the Premier League and he has adapted to that well.

“He has contributed to some really good things we have done.

“As you can imagine for a young player, it is just managing that load of what he can do but I think we will get better with that with him as we go forward, just understanding him.

“It’s disappointing he has probably carried this injury for quite some time which has probably affected his game time and decisions about how much he has played.

“But he has got quality, he’s a good lad, he wants to play, wants to learn, wants to improve.

“Hopefully he can use this season as a decent foundation and then he can finish his recovery, be back ready for next season and hit the ground running. That is what we hope.”